Unfrel announces 9 guilty parties

SEMARANG: The University Network for Free and Fair Elections (Unfrel) branch here announced on Monday that nine parties had violated election rules, with the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) topping the list.

Agus Susilo, an Unfrel coordinator, told a media conference that the use of threats was the most common violation. Other offenses included possessing weapons, using supporters from other areas and children in campaigns, campaigning in mosques and acts of violence.

He said that in a street rally on Jl. Pandanaran here on May 26, supporters of PDI Perjuangan were seen forcefully asking people for cigarettes, inviting supporters from other towns and beating an Unfrel activist. On that day, other party supporters set a car on fire in Grobogan, 60 kilometers southeast of here.

Supporters of the National Awakening Party and Golkar Party were found carrying Japanese samurai swords in their rallies on May 27 and May 28.

Other offenders were the Crescent Star Party, Masyumi Party, Indonesian Democratic Union Party, United Development Party, National Mandate Party and the Indonesian Unity in Diversity Party. (har)