KPU rejects demands for longer campaign

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.