Parents told not to take children to campaign sites

JAKARTA (JP): Raising an alarm over campaign fatalities, General Elections Commission (KPU) chairman Rudini warned parents against taking children to campaign rallies.

"Campaigning is not a recreation. It is inappropriate for political parties to take advantage of the situation and put children in danger," Rudini said in a media briefing on poll preparations Thursday, or eight days ahead of the June 7 poll.

The commission reported that the first round of campaigning which began May 19 and concluded on May 26 claimed 14 deaths and left 21 others injured. Children were among the fatalities and the injured, he said, but did not give details.

Sixteen cars were also vandalized, one burned by angry mobs while at least 476 party attributes and flags were either torched or damaged.

"The number of casualties will likely rise if motor campaign rallies continue. So we urge parents not to take children on the street," Rudini reiterated.

Since the first day of the campaigning period, streets in most cities in Indonesia were filled with convoys of supporters of poll contestants, in clear violation of KPU decree No. 13.

Hundreds of children were almost always involved in the rallies, riding on top of cars or in open trucks. Almost all of the motorcycle riders failed to wear helmets.

Regarding the poll preparations, Rudini said all of the 462 Mayoralty Elections Committees (PPD II) received the ballot papers.

"We have received reports some 5,000 ballot papers were damaged due to poor packing or during the mailing process," he said. "Some ballot papers had to be destroyed because they were already stamped by certain parties' signs."

Rudini refused to give details about the apparent foul play, except to say that investigations had been launched into the violation which he said most probably occurred during the folding of the ballot papers.

"But we have got enough ballot papers as we reserved a stock of about 12 million or 3 percent from the total 400 million ballot papers, as stipulated in the Elections Laws," Rudini said.

The ballots have reached areas outside Java such as Irian Jaya, Maluku, Kalimantan and Sumatra.

Ballot boxes and papers must reach all polling stations two days before the poll.

The National Elections Committee (PPI) also reported that 88.22 percent or some 112,555,814 voters out of the total 130 million eligible voters were registered by Wednesday.

"This figure is far higher than expected," Rudini said. "However, in some areas, the number of registered people was higher than the actual number of eligible voters there."

In Bali, for instance, thousands of new arrivals registered to vote there, he said. "Because they have legal proof of Indonesian citizenship, of course they may register to vote in the general election.

The General Elections Commission has extended the voter registration session in some of Indonesia's volatile areas until June 6. In several areas of Aceh, residents may register and vote on the balloting day.

The commission also reminded the public to bring with them necessary documents on voting day.

"A passport or any identification card must be brought as proof. Also don't forget to check the back of the ballot papers, and see whether it has a hologram sticker. If not, your vote will not be counted," he exhorted.

He also urged prospective voters to ensure that their fingers be stamped with the special indelible ink after punching their votes.

The election organizers, with assistance from various bodies including international donor communities, have taken measures to ensure free and fair elections by including the use of ink and hologram stickers so no one can vote more than once like the way they did during New Order's elections.

Rudini also said details of the audit of the campaigning fund would be revealed Friday.

"We will also want to further discuss the preparations including the cooperation with Navy, Army and Air Force in distributing the ballot boxes and ballot papers on time especially in remote areas," he said.

Should glitches be encountered that were too large and the elections would have to be delayed, Rudini said, "I might as well resign... Except in certain volatile areas, (I am sure) we will have the poll on time." (edt)