Next
year, legislative elections will be held on April 9, after a campaign
period between January 11 and April 5, while the presidential election
is expected to be held on July 9.
The
general elections will be organized by Indonesia's General Elections
Commission (KPU) with the cooperation of institutions such as the
General Elections Supervisory Body Bawaslu), the National Police and the
Government Goods and Service Procurement Policy Agency (LKPP).
The
National Police (Polri) and the Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) are not
allowed to vote, as they are expected to be the nonpartisan
professional security forces and unifying elements of the nation.
As the national gears up for the next year's general elections,
President Susilo Yudhoyono recently reminded the Indonesian military in
general and the Army in particular, to stay neutral and shun political
practices ahead of the elections.
On a separate occasion, President Yudhoyono had stated that the
Indonesian military, the TNI, must be able to adjust and display the
results of its internal reforms during next year's general elections.
"We
will again hold legislative and presidential elections. Reform results
must be shown in the general elections next year. Make sure that TNI's
stance is parallel with that of the state," he had emphasized during his
address at the commemoration of the 68th anniversary of TNI on October
5.
He noted that reform efforts that have been carried out since 1998 have shown significant results.
"TNI's
reform agenda has been completed. Since 1998, TNI has consistently and
seriously conducted internal reforms. I thank all TNI members who have
completed TNI's long reform process," he stated.
The
results of TNI reforms must be realized in various aspects of statehood
and nationhood, including the legislative and presidential elections,
he pointed out.
Earlier,
on October 3, TNI Commander General Moeldoko stated that TNI will be
neutral in the next general elections, though it will help the General
Elections Commission (KPU) with the implementation.
"We
have banned soldiers and commanders (from being involved in politics).
We will fire them if they are caught (being involved in them). We have
also banned the usage of TNI assets by political parties. If we have a
building, it may not be used for the purpose. Also, our trucks may not
be used for campaign activities. We will fire those found doing that,"
the general affirmed after a rehearsal for the commemoration of the 68th
anniversary of the Air Force at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force base in
East Jakarta.
He
explained that all TNI members should be neutral in their behaviour and
spirit. General Moeldoko, who was appointed as the TNI commander on
August 30, even bet his head if defunct dual military-civilian functions
of TNI re-emerged!
"The dual functions of the Indonesian Armed Forces would not emerge again. If they do, you may behead me," he reiterated.
"The dual functions of the Indonesian Armed Forces would not emerge again. If they do, you may behead me," he reiterated.
Urging
people not to be suspicious of TNI's goodwill, General Moeldoko stated
that TNI`s help to the KPU is genuine, even if KPU requires
transportation to distribute elections logistics. He confirmed that TNI
is ready to help in providing the means without getting involved in
KPU's affairs.
New
National Police Chief General Sutarman, on his day of appointment, on
October 25, pledged that the police will remain neutral in the general
elections next year and will ensure that they (the general elections)
are conducted in a safe and secure manner.
"The police will keep a careful watch over the stages of the elections -
from the printing of the ballots to their distribution to voting
centers, and will work to the fullest," he had stated after his
appointment as the new police chief by President Susilo Bambang
Yudhoyono at the palace.
"The police must remain neutral in the elections. We will remain on
guard all through the stages of the elections, including the
presidential elections, so that people can comfortably cast their
ballots to choose the best legislative candidates to represent them," he
added.
Sutarman
reiterated on several occasions, his readiness to guard the election
process, adding, "The general elections must be guarded to ensure they
run peacefully, fairly and honestly."
He stated that securing the elections would be his priority, adding that the police would be one of the parties directly involved in the process, from the beginning to the end.
He stated that securing the elections would be his priority, adding that the police would be one of the parties directly involved in the process, from the beginning to the end.
"The
police and other security agencies will work together to secure the
entire process of the elections, and I have given an order that all
police officers must remain neutral in connection with the elections,"
he stated.
Sutarman
also stated that he would start his elections security program by
fielding personnel throughout the community to ensure security, order
and prevent possible conflicts.
Some 20 thousand police officers will be deployed to keep guard during parliamentary elections in April next year.
The Indonesian police have mapped regions that are considered prone to
conflicts ahead of the country`s general elections in 2014.
"What
is obvious is that there are vulnerabilities in big cities. Indications
of conflicts could easily be seen based on local elections so far such
as in Maluku, South Sulawesi and Palembang (South Sumatra)," the
National Police`s head of security maintenance, Commissioner General
Badrodin Haiti stated recently.
He noted that vulnerability in a region is affected by a number of
factors such as political development, security disruptions and
geographic conditions of the region concern.
"Conflicts always happen internally or between parties including between legislative candidates," he added.
Despite
the fact, he pointed out that the police could not predict potential
conflicts that might take place, and so the police have to observe the
developments during different stages of implementation of the general
elections that have now just begun.
Geographic as well as infrastructure conditions could also determine
vulnerability of a region as certain quarters could use these conditions
for disrupting security, he stated.
"...Such
as Nias or Papua. The police may not be able to fully cover these
regions and so it is not impossible for manipulation or delays to happen
in these remote regions, making it vulnerable with regard to general
elections," he stated.
The police have arranged for leadership meetings in December to prepare
regional police commanders with regard to securing next year`s general
elections. He stated that preparations would include personnel, software
and preconditioning the community as well as training.
The
Indonesian Army has also stated that security for the elections would
be the priority assignment for all army military units.
"The
main task of securing the elections is given to the police, but we have
also received a budget from the government for ensuring security during
the elections," stated Army chief of staff General Budiman recently.
He noted that the preparations made by the army (TNI AD) include
providing communications equipment, vehicles and mastering information
technology.
"Almost
70 percent of the vehicles for the village command chiefs have been
provided by the state. There are no more donations from persons or other
officials," confirmed General Budiman.
Regional
military command chiefs from several parts of the country recently
gathered to discuss elections security preparations and they will report
to the Army Headquarters.
Twelve national political parties and three local political parties of
Aceh Province will participate in the upcoming elections. The number is
much less than those in 2004 at 24 political parties, and in 2009 at 34.
(F001/INE)EDITED BY INE
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