Slow disbursement fo fund for poll costs questioned

Slow disbursement fo fund for poll costs questioned

JAKARTA (JP): Chairman of the Provincial Elections Committee
(PPD I) Djafar Badjeber complained on Sunday about the slow
disbursement of fund allocated for operational costs for the June
7 general election in the city.

Djafar said that it should not be too difficult for the
General Elections Commission (KPU) to disburse the fund totaling
Rp 11 billion soon because it was available at the state budget.

"Why should it be delayed, because the poll officials are
working without payment? Some of them have even been forced to
pay the operational costs, including the management of the vote
registration activities, for the past one week by themselves," he
told The Jakarta Post.

He said that he would push the KPU to disburse funds on
Tuesday or Wednesday at the latest. "We can't wait any longer
because poll officials, especially in the lowest rank, question
repeatedly the fund's whereabouts."

According to Djafar, out of a Rp 11 billion fund, Rp 330
million would be allocated for PPD I, Rp 2.6 billion for five
Regional Elections Committees (PPD II), Rp 1.2 billion for 43
District Polling Committees (PPK), Rp 2.4 billion for 265
Subdistrict Polling Committees (PPS), Rp 4.3 billion for 11,000
Subdistrict Elections Committee Officials (KPPS).

Djafar said the lowest level of the organization would receive
a bigger part of the fund as it needs more operational costs.

Due to a lack of preparation, including the fund's slow
disbursement, the registration period could not start on April 5
as scheduled because many officials delayed its start until the
next day.

The period for people to voluntarily register for polling will
end on Monday. Starting on Monday through April 18, registration
officials will visit those who live in remote areas and others
who are unable to register themselves.

Those who still cannot register will be given a chance to do
so from April 30 to May 4.

Based on The Jakarta Post's observation on Friday, poll
officials were indeed forced to pay poll preparation costs
themselves, as happened at Kali Pasir in Kebon Sirih, Central
Jakarta.

The neighborhood chief, Rozali, said that he, and sometimes
other community members as well, would spend about Rp 20,000 a
day for voter registration needs, including meals for
registration officials.

"I've heard that registration officials will be paid based on
the number of the registration forms, but I haven't received any
confirmation yet," he said

Djafar said on Sunday that if the fund was disbursed, each
official would be paid Rp 80 per registrant.

Djafar had no idea on the reason behind the lateness of the
fund disbursement. "What I know is that they ask us to open bank
accounts first before the disbursement.

"I think it is too demanding because the time is so limited,"
he said.

He said that if this problem was not solved, PPD I would
borrow money for the operational costs from the city
administration, which has promised to lend Rp 1.5 billion. (ind)