KPU to help parties in fund snarl

KPU to help parties in fund snarl

JAKARTA (JP): The General Elections Commission (KPU) decided
on Monday to act as facilitator of a meeting between leaders of
political parties and President B.J. Habibie to discuss campaign
funds for the 48 political parties contesting the polls.

Failure to acquire the funds is unfair, especially to the new
parties, KPU deputy chairman Adnan Buyung Nasution said at his
office on Monday.

KPU chairman Rudini said the meeting would be arranged as soon
as possible and "we may meet this week".

Political parties complained about the lack of campaign funds
and accused the government of "not being supportive of the polls"
due to perceived apathy on its handling.

"Up to the present, the government has yet to respond on the
campaign fund available for political parties," he said.

Article 48 of the Elections Law states that parties are
eligible to obtain campaign funds from the government, eligible
voters and related political parties as well as from individuals
and/or corporates.

The commission has ruled that each political party is entitled
to a maximum of Rp 110 billion in campaign funds. The Indonesian
Accountant Association (IAI) will conduct audits of the use.

Under the rule, a party can spend in each village Rp 1
million, Rp 6 million in each district, Rp 40 million in each
regency and Rp 100 million in each province.

"There seems to be various interpretation of rules. The
government may think that a total of Rp 150 million party fund
for each of the 48 parties has included the campaign fund.

"Such an amount is certainly not enough," Adnan said.

Parties varied on their suggestion of the amount of government
support. Golkar, for instance, proposed Rp 1 billion.

Adnan, a noted lawyer, also slammed the National Elections
Supervisory Committee's incapability in handling rampant poll
riggings up to the last day of the first campaign round. "We need
more meetings to coordinate our jobs."

Todung Mulya Lubis, deputy chairman of the supervisory
committee, said separately: "It is KPU which makes unclear
regulations that are not conducive to fair and free polls." (edt)