KPU rejects demands for longer campaign

M. Taufiqurrahman, Jakarta

The two candidates contesting the Sept. 20 presidential runoff will likely have little time reaching out for the public, as the General Elections Commission (KPU) dismissed on Wednesday increasing calls to extend the three-day campaign period.

Independent poll observers have called on the commission to extend the designated Sept. 14 to 16 campaign period to provide an equal opportunity for all candidates.

The Atlanta-based Carter Center said in its post-election statement that a restricted campaign would infringe upon the right to free speech of the candidates and their supporters, adding that the tight schedule was inconsistent with international standards.

Similarly, the Center for Electoral Reform (Cetro) said in its statement that the short campaign period would alienate the people, as they would not have enough time to gauge the candidates' policies.

The observers were also concerned that the incumbent president, Megawati Soekarnoputri, could capitalize on her stature to draw much-needed attention from the public.

KPU deputy chairman Ramlan Surbakti said the candidates had already been given ample time to present themselves during the month-long campaign ahead of the July 5 election.

He also said the commission acted in accordance with Law No. 23/2003 on presidential elections in deciding that campaigns for the runoff would last only three days.

"The law clearly stipulates that a campaign for the runoff may be held in the event that no winner is produced from the first round. The law uses the word 'may', therefore the candidates are lucky that they have been given time, however short, to campaign," Ramlan told reporters.

Front runners Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and running mate Jusuf Kalla won 33.6 percent of votes, while Megawati and Hasyim Muzadi garnered 26.5 percent.

To compensate for the short campaign period, the commission will run activities to promote both pairs equally in several cities, Ramlan said. The candidates will be obliged to pay for their own trips.

The KPU also plans to place pictures of the two candidates in strategic locations across the country in the lead-up to the runoff.

Ramlan said the commission was slated to have more talks with the two campaign teams in regards campaigning in the media.

Contacted separately, Ali Mochtar of the Susilo-Kalla campaign team said the three-day period would be "a headache". "How can our candidates cover the archipelago in three days? It is just not possible," he told The Jakarta Post.

However, if the KPU declined to grant more time for campaigning, "the KPU must issue a ruling requiring all media to run balanced coverage on the two candidates" during the campaign period, he said.