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