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)