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