Most parties have violated election rules: Panwaslu

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Almost all of the 24 political parties contesting this year's elections had committed 100 violations as of Monday, according to the Election Supervisory Committee (Panwaslu).

The campaign has, however, been overall peaceful, committee member Didiek Supriyanto said, while calling on authorities and all the parties to maintain the discipline of members and supporters to prevent untoward incidents.

As of Monday, Didiek said, violations included placing party symbols in prohibited places and involving children in campaigns.

Panwaslu has also called on the General Elections Commission (KPU) to treat equally all political parties that violate regulations, Didiek said.

He was referring to advertisements by the Indonesia Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) along toll roads in Jakarta, which is a prohibited location according to the election rules. Officials appointed by the KPU, who often raid flags or other political party symbols, apparently failed to take action against the PDI-P display.

Regarding the involvement of children in campaigns, the KPU has advised all political parties against involving children under the age of seven in campaigns as it was in violation of Article 40 (4) KPU Instruction No 701/2003 on electoral campaigns.

The National Commission for Child Protection earlier urged political parties not to involve children in campaigns.

A number of children have been hospitalized after participating in campaigning activities. One child died in a car accident in Sulawesi when he and his parents were about to campaign.

Didiek said the need to maintain discipline among party members and supporters was vital in the third week of the campaign period when outdoor campaigns would be held.

"These will involve lots of supporters and could lead to brawls," he said of the outdoor campaigns, which start next week.

Even now the transporting of supporters to and from indoor campaign venues has virtually become street campaigning, though on a much smaller scale than the convoys of political party supporters prior to the 1999 elections.

Panwaslu reports administrative violations of political parties to the KPU and suspected crimes to the police.