Misbehaving Legislative Candidates

Sumber :

VIVAnews - Thousands of political parties' attributes have been brought down by the public order officials (Satpol PP) together with the General Elections Supervisory Committee (Panwaslu) and the Jakarta Regional Elections Commission (KPUD DKI) for the whole week.

Party attributes such as flags, billboards, posters of candidates, and banners that have violated the public order and campaign regulation were brought down by force.

The Chief of Jakarta Elections Supervisory Committee, Ramdhansyah, explained via telephone on Friday, 20 February, that there are many legislative candidates that do not abide by the regulations.

According to him, the prohibitions in a campaign are stated in the Law No. 10/2008 on House of Representatives (DPR), Regional Representatives Council (DPD), and Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) election. He said that everything is already regulated in the article 84(1)(a) to (j).

"Especially clause (h) which states the prohibition on using government facilities, religious centers, and education centers," explained Ramdhansyah. There are also 25 restricted areas for political party attributes in Jakarta that need to be watched.

The Regional Elections Commission has informed the related issue to all political parties that are participating in the 2009 General Election.

The problem is caused mainly by misguided legislative candidates, but it is also possible that there was not enough interaction from the political party.

Ramdhansyah also said that the legislative candidates who still violate will get a sanction. "Starting from administrative sanction up to criminal action," said he.

According to article 270, for anyone who violates the election campaign regulation as stated in the article 84 will get at least 6 months imprisonment and maximum of 24 months.

Ramdhansyah also added that the violators will receive Rp 6 million (US$500) fine and maximum Rp 24 million (US$2,000). As for the administrative sanction, the legislative candidate will lose one round in the opening campaign schedule.

Based on the General Elections Supervisory Committee's data, there are 2,700 legislative candidates that will compete in the 2009 General Election. "Just figure out the numbers of their attributes," said he.

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Translated by: Ariyantri E. Tarman