UNDP pledges to raise $30m for elections
UNDP pledges to raise $30m for elections
Arya Abhiseka, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The international community has renewed its commitment to
ensuring democratic elections in Indonesia, with the United
Nations Development Program (UNDP) agreeing on Friday to raise
some US$30 million in grants from donors to help the cash-
strapped government hold elections in 2004.
The funds will be channeled into the state budget before being
disbursed to the General Elections Commission (KPU), which is
organizing the elections.
"There are about five to six institutions that have pledged
their commitment to helping fund the general election.
"However, only the European Community is willing to be
identified as one of the donors," said Bo Asplund, the UNDP's
country representative.
The election law stipulates that the 2004 general election
must be funded by the state and regional budgets only. However,
the government and the KPU have said that any foreign aid would
be legal as long as it was channeled through the state budget.
Asplund said the UNDP was currently awaiting donors'
recommendations before disbursing the funds.
KPU chairman Nazaruddin Sjamsuddin, meanwhile, told reporters
that the commission had budgeted some Rp 3.82 trillion (US$429
million) for the elections. Of this amount, Rp 3.023 trillion
will be used for the general election on April 5 and Rp 800
billion for the two-phased presidential election sometime the
following June and August.
"We gladly welcome the commitment shown by the UNDP in
contributing to our process of democracy," he said.
The UNDP earlier this year said it would not provide financial
assistance to the KPU, but rather would furnish the commission
with technical assistance, such as training KPU employees.
There has been skepticism that the government would be able to
provide the money needed to hold the elections, while observers
worry that any foreign donations could be the source for rampant
corruption, as believed to have occurred in the 1999 elections.
Asplund said the grants were a commitment of the trust the
UNDP has in the government to use the money properly to hold a
fair and direct general election.
The KPU said on Friday it would contract the Association of
Indonesian Accountants to ensure accountability in the upcoming
elections.
For the 1999 general election, the UNDP channeled some $90
million to the government and non-governmental organizations, as
well as providing technical assistance.
Indonesia will have its first ever direct presidential
election between June and August next year. Some 130 million
eligible voters are expected to cast their votes.