Voter registration period extended

JAKARTA (JP): An extension of the voter registration period to May 15 was announced on Tuesday by chairman of the General Elections Commission (KPU) Rudini.

He said the arrangement was not the result of ambitions to meet certain targets.

"The decision was made basically because the KPU feels responsible for people who wish to join the elections but are hindered by technical difficulties and security disturbances, such as residents in Aceh, East Timor, Irian Jaya, Maluku or Indonesians living abroad."

Rudini said it was agreed that Subcommission A for Budgeting, together with other subcommissions, would issue a decree on the audit of party campaign funds before the June 7 poll.

He said there would be 250,074 polling stations.

"We will also provide nails with which voters punch the ballot paper on pads, just like in the previous elections."

KPU has decided to exempt two Cabinet members -- Minister/State Secretary Akbar Tandjung, who is the Golkar Party chairman, and Minister of Investment Hamzah Haz, the chairman of the United Development Party (PPP) -- from its own ruling that "political parties must forbid their government official members from campaigning".

In a bid to determine whether it is possible to run the poll on time in the troubled province of Aceh, Rudini said KPU members would visit the area on Thursday.

"We will meet with community leaders, polling committees and government officials, as well as security authorities to discuss the deteriorating condition there," Hasballah M. Saad, KPU member of the National Mandate Party (PAN) and also secretary-general of the Aceh Commission of Human Rights, said.

Hasballah said KPU would strive to hold the polls on time.

"But we need a guarantee from security forces that everybody who wants to vote will be protected, at least physically."

Results of the Thursday meeting will be submitted to President B.J. Habibie for consideration on whether the province will be able to participate in the polls.

Hasballah said the Acehnese were in a difficult position.

"If the security forces protect groups of people (who wish to vote), other groups (who are against the elections) may accuse them of being traitors. If they are not protected, the people will also be intimidated by extremists. It's horrible."

Intimidation and violence against residents who wish to register in the polls has reportedly occurred in Pidie and North Aceh.

"What is the use of having a poll in Aceh if it means losing many more lives? I'd say stop using violence to manage Aceh.

"To some extent, despite the conflicts, I believe the poll can still be held in Aceh. As long as there are participants, no matter how few, we will have votes from Aceh," Hasballah said.

Up to April 30, KPU reported 39.65 percent of the total 2,315,244 eligible voters in Aceh had registered.

Disabled rights

Two advocacy groups visited the KPU offices on Tuesday, petitioning the commission to help people with disabilities participate in the polls. They were the Independent Election Monitoring Committee (KIPP) and the group Indonesian Advocacy for the Disabled.

"We made suggestions on practical matters, such as the size of polling booths. More space is needed for people in wheel chairs," KIPP secretary-general Mulyana W. Kusumah said.

He said a neutral assistant was needed to assist blind voters punch the ballot paper.

"KPU will discuss the possibility of the disabled being assisted by two neutral assistants during voting," Afan Gaffar, a government representative in KPU, said.

Later in the day, some 60 students calling themselves the Indonesian People's Front staged a protest in front of the KPU office, demanding Golkar be dissolved.

After singing songs mocking Golkar, five student representatives eventually met with Rudini. Dozens of others occupied the KPU's plenary hall, singing patriotic songs.

Golkar representative in the KPU, Mahadi Sinambela, who was having lunch in the hall when the students arrived, appeared bewildered.

"Well, let me finish my lunch then," Mahadi said to the gawking students. As more students arrived, he got up and left. "Better to stay away than get bruises," he said.

The student group eventually dispersed at about 3 p.m..

Separately, in Yogyakarta, members of political parties signed personal safety insurance policies.

AJB Bumi Putera insurance company staff member Erna, told Antara that party members preferred to sign up for three to one- year insurance policies. (44/rms/edt)