Public shows little interest in Panwaslu candidates

Arya Abhiseka, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The public has shown no interest in the 22 candidates for the Elections Supervisory Committee (Panwaslu), the General Elections Commission (KPU) announced on Monday.

Up until Wednesday, the last day the public had to scrutinize the candidates' background, no public comments or opinions about the nominees had been submitted to KPU's public relations office.

KPU member Mulyana W. Kusuma attributed the public's mute response to their unfamiliarity with the whole election process, but some have pointed to KPU's failure to provide any information about the candidates when they were announced on Monday.

Some observers have said the commission only revealed the candidates' names, making it impossible for the public to submit any comments or opinions about their nomination.

There has also been criticism directed at KPU's poor performance in publicizing the 2004 general election as the public is unaware of what is expected of them, and that has hampered the preparation process.

"This is the first time we have introduced the names of all the nominees to the public, unlike in 1999. My assumption is that the public is not used to this practice," said Mulyana.

He added that the public was unaware of the importance of scrutinizing candidates vying to be members of the supervisory committee as the institution is viewed as being less instrumental at having any direct impact on the public.

"The supervisory committee is not like the House of Representatives, which receives a lot of exposure and attention," he said.

KPU will carry out a fit and proper test on 22 candidates to elect six members for the supervisory jobs on Thursday at 9 a.m. The results will be announced on Saturday, April 19.

The six elected members will consist of one member from the media, two from the academic community and three from the general public. KPU will appoint two members from the National Police and one from the Attorney General's Office to come up with a total of nine members to form the supervisory committee.

The supervisory committee is an independent body that will monitor the entire 2004 general election, including the ballot counting.

Indonesia is due to have its first ever direct general elections next year, starting with the legislative election on April 5. The two-phased presidential election will follow between June and August 2004.