Police to screen each party's campaign programs

Police to screen each party's campaign programs

JAKARTA (JP): The police will screen the campaign program
details of the three political organizations contesting the May
29 general election, a senior police officer said yesterday.

Chief spokesman of the National Police, Brig. Gen. Nurfaizi,
said each contestant had to map out their campaign plan in a
notice to police before they could be given a letter of reference
to conduct the campaign.

"Campaigners should tell police the theme of the campaign, the
campaign aids they are going to use, the number of participants
and the place where the campaign will be held," Nurfaizi said
yesterday.

He said all three contestants should submit the details to
police at least seven days prior to the campaign start so police
officials can help maintain order and ensure the safety of the
campaigners.

Police Col. D.J. Harahap, said the notice was important
because when a large crowd of enthusiastic people gathered
together, there was always potential for public disturbance.

"If the campaign is held by the organization's central board,
the notice should be signed by the general chairman and secretary
general of the organization and be submitted to police
headquarters," he added.

The three political organizations, the United Development
Party, the ruling Golkar and the Indonesian Democratic Party,
will contest 425 seats of the 500-member House of
Representatives, while the remaining 75 are reserved for the
military.

Earlier, the government restricted the campaign system by
urging contestants to hold indoor meetings, rather than staging
rallies, to avoid violence.

Harahap said the contestants were not allowed to use posters,
photos or drawings of particular persons, not even a picture of
the President.

"The theme of any written statement to be handed out during
the campaign and any public speech should by no means undermine
the Pancasila principles, the 1945 Constitution, or the teachings
of the religions acknowledged in the country," he added.

Under existing electoral laws, police have the authority to
arrest and impose sanctions against campaigners who violate
regulations.

Harahap called on contestants to keep order during their
campaigns or face strict police action. (04)