KPU to form poll supervisory team

JAKARTA: The General Elections Commission (KPU) will conclude on Saturday the screening to elect six people to form the election supervisory committee and its result is to be announced to the public on Monday.

The screening began on Thursday when all nine members of the KPU held an interview with the nominees.

Candidates were given five minutes to introduce themselves and their background and explain their motivation in joining the supervisory committee.

Each KPU member then asked the nominees various questions in a 40-minute session that followed. Among the questions asked were about the mechanism of the general election and the supervisory committee's main tasks.

Several candidates were also asked about any possible links with political parties to determine their neutrality.

The supervisory committee is an independent body that will monitor the 2004 general election, including ballot counting.

Of the six nominees, one was from the media, two from the academic community, and three from the general public. Three more members of the election supervisory committee will be appointed from the Attorney General's Office and the National Police. -- JP