Political postcard, business opportunity for Post Office

Yuli Tri Suwarni, The Jakarta Post, Bandung

At least 10 political parties and legislative candidates contesting the general elections have placed orders for custom designed postcards, the Bandung Post Office said on Wednesday.

The post office is ready to meet the orders, said Suyud Suhendar, head of public relations.

"This is the first time ever that political parties and legislative candidates are making special electoral postcards," he said, and that the Bandung branch was the first in the country to offer such postcards.

The Bandung Post Office is producing special-order postcards printed on art paper weighing 260 grams, which will be used to woo voters.

The post office is offering two sizes: 10 x 15 cm and 12 x 17 cm.

"Photographs, the candidacy number, a candidate's CV or the electoral number of a party can be placed on the front of the card, while its mission and vision can be printed on the reverse side. Color, size and design is up to the customer," he said.

Each postcard costs Rp 3,500 (40 U.S. cents) at a minimum order of 1,000 cards.

Delivery should not be a problem, as the Post Office -- particularly for voters in Bandung -- would send the postcards according to the mailing list provided by parties or candidates.

"The main idea behind the postcard is to help parties and candidates reach out to prospective voters," said Suyud.

The Bandung Post Office consulted with the West Java Elections Supervisory Committee (Panwaslu) prior to marketing the electoral postcards to ensure that the cards did not violate campaign rules.

The Post Office will keep the postcards and hand them over to the respective parties and candidates after March 11, when the campaign period begins.

The legislative election will be held on April 5.

Anticipating a deluge in orders, the Post Office has set up cooperation with three large publishing companies in Bandung to fulfill the orders.