Save the election

Save the election

The legislative election is just 17 days away. There are two
important things to note -- first, millions of ballot papers have
yet to be printed and second, official ballots have landed into
the hands of some people.

These are important matters worthy of the attention of those
on all sides because they may determine whether or not the polls
can be run on schedule and if there are violations that could
hinder the holding of an honest, clean and secret ballot.

The number of papers as yet unprinted is largely due to the
stubbornness of partners of the General Elections Commission
(KPU), who, as it turns out, are no more than middlemen out to
reap a profit.

They do not actually own printing machines and simply intend
to pass orders on to printing companies. Having failed to do
that, they have caused a crucial delay in the printing of ballot
papers.

Tough action must be taken against those who disrupt the
election. We call them election disrupters because what they have
done could hinder the election process. Similar measures must be
taken against those circulating official ballots. Their action is
tantamount to violating the confidentiality of state documents.

In addition to taking legal measures, the KPU must appoint
other printing companies to print ballot papers as soon as
possible. We hope they will be printed and distributed on time so
that the polls can be held on schedule.

-- Republika, Jakarta