Public shows little interest in Panwaslu candidates

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.