Threat to 2004 elections

Threat to 2004 elections

From Koran Tempo

The 2004 general election is approaching but an analysis by
the State Intelligence Agency indicates the threat of failure due
to inconsistent performance by the General Elections Commission
(KPU).

Among the signs of possible election delay are the long,
drawn-out settlement of legislative candidacy and slow progress
in the tenders for ballot boxes and papers, and in election
publicity and logistical arrangements.

Although KPU deputy chairman Mulyana W. Kusuma has
acknowledged that the commission is a bit late in meeting the
various timetables already fixed, the KPU has not yet formally
issued any emergency warning with regard to preparations for this
event.

The KPU should cooperate with the government and avoid being
overconfident, because the bureaucracy has a strong
infrastructure at its disposal, from the level of governor down
to village head. In this way, the existing constraints can
hopefully be overcome to ensure the successful implementation of
election preparations.

ERWIN GUNAWAN
Bogor, West Java