Poll rigging practices haunt KIPP, Unfrel, Rectors Forum

JAKARTA (JP): The following unlawful practices were identified in past elections. Data has been provided by the Independent Election Monitoring Committee (KIPP), the University Network for Free and Fair Elections (Unfrel) and the Rector Forum.

During voter registration:

* Encouraging supporters of the ruling contestant to register at two or more different places, using different identification cards.

* Fictitious registrations at places difficult to access, again to benefit the ruling Golkar party.

* Discrimination against supporters of opposition parties in Golkar stronghold areas to discourage their registration.

* Registration forms are deliberately made incomplete.

* Supporters of opposition parties are threatened and intimidated.

During registration of legislative candidates:

* Special screening in the selection process for legislative candidates, to exclude potential candidates from opposition parties.

During campaigning:

* Campaigning before the official period.

* Using government facilities and religious worship areas in campaigns.

* Using public funds for campaigning.

* Offering money to people to take part in campaigns and rallies.

* Intimidation of people to stop them attending an election rally for an opposition party.

* Discrimination by the state media in its campaign coverage.

During balloting:

* The opening and closing of voting booths not in accordance with the agreed schedule.

* Placing ballot papers in ballot boxes before voting begins.

* Double voting, with one person voting two or more times at different places.

* Ballots counted without enough objective witnesses.

* Intimidation of voters to vote for a certain party.

* Intimidation of election observers.

* Preventing election monitors from approaching polling sites.

* Giving special marks on voting papers to identify who voted for which party.

* Producing fake ballot papers.

* Use of delible ink for marking Golkar supporters' hands so that they could cast more ballots elsewhere.

* Voter secrecy not protected.

* Polling booths are placed at locations where Golkar support is strong.

* Polling officials side with Golkar.

* Encouraging public violence so polling activities are halted in certain areas.

During vote counting:

* Barring opposition party representatives from witnessing the ballot counting at polling booths and at village, subdistrict, district and provincial levels.

* Destroying ballot papers favoring opposition parties.

* Adding ballot papers favoring Golkar.

* Marking all remaining papers to favor Golkar.

* Letting ballot boxes closed unsealed after counting, allowing them to be reopened for manipulation.

* Exchanging ballot boxes with other boxes full of votes favoring Golkar.