KPU told to start educating voters

KPU told to start educating voters

Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The success of the upcoming polls remains a big question, as the
General Elections Commission (KPU) has focused more on the
procurement of election materials and thus ignored voter
education.

Politicians Andi A. Mallarangeng and Ferry Mursyidan Baldan
from the United Democratic Nationhood Party (PPDK) and the Golkar
Party, respectively, warned that the KPU's neglect would lead to
a great number of invalid ballots.

Andi and Ferry said the nation would rely on the KPU to
educate voters, as political parties could only disseminate
electoral information to party members.

"We cannot reach the silent majority, because on the one
occasion we did, we were accused of conducting a premature
campaign," Andi said at a discussion on Friday.

Also speaking at the discussion was Kutai Kertanegara Regent
Syaukani H.R., who chairs the Association of Regional
Administrations.

A recent survey conducted by the Center for Electoral Reform
(Cetro) revealed that most respondents were unaware of the
election rules and how to cast their ballots.

Ferry, deputy chairman of House Commission II for political
and security affairs, suggested that the KPU commence voter
education soon, as the general election was just 46 days away.

He appreciated the efforts by the office of the State Minister
of Women's Empowerment to improve women's representation in
politics by calling on women voters to punch only the name of
women legislative candidates.

However, he also corrected the instruction: "That is wrong,
because voters must punch both a party logo and a legislative
candidate."

Andi and Ferry criticized the KPU for spending too much of its
time procuring ballot boxes, ballot papers and ink for the
elections.

"I feel ballot boxes are not essential, because they can be
replaced with wooden boxes or buckets," Andi said.

The KPU, he said, was responsible for familiarizing the public
on the new electoral system, either by banners or advertisements.

Syaukani H.R. confirmed that people living in remote areas
were confused about polling procedures.

Having conducted several polling simulations in rural areas,
Syaukani said many people did not even know the logo of their
preferred party.

"Without detailed explanations from the KPU, it will be
difficult for people to follow the correct procedure," he said.

Syaukani also asked the KPU to issue guidelines for its
provincial and regental branch offices on preparing a contingency
plan in case the delivery of election materials was disrupted.

In Kutai, for example, he said, the distribution of election
materials would take much time because of its geography, and that
many areas in the regency could only be reached by boat, which
would take additional delivery time.