[Kabar-indonesia] Aceh elections short of monitors

[Joyo at aol.com]

The Jakarta Post
November 11, 2006

Aceh elections short of monitors

Nani Afrida, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh

Aceh needs at least 10,000 election observers to help ensure
just and democratic regional polls in Aceh on Dec. 11,
Ikhwanussufa of the Independent Election Committee in Aceh
(KIP Aceh) said Friday.

Ikhwanussufa said the number of observers was still far from
sufficient, with only 800 registering so far.

"The number of registered observers is still very small. We
will wait until Nov. 22 because we need at least 10,000
observers to monitor each polling station," he said. Around
10,000 polling stations will open throughout the province on
voting day.

Ikhwanussufa said four foreign monitoring institutions had
registered at KIP Aceh -- the Republican Institute with 10
observers, European Union with eight people, the Asian
Network Free Elections (Anfrel) 10 people, and the American
consulate with six people.

"They are still in the process of applying for visas,"
Ikhwanussufa said.

Local institutions registering include the People's Voters
Education Network with 138 people, Forum of Aceh Non-
governmental Organizations (441) and the Aceh Recovery
Program (218).

The Aceh Strategy Assessment Center and the Center for the
Independent Elections Monitoring Committee have not assigned
volunteers yet.

All the observers are set to monitor elections throughout
Aceh. This is different from the earlier limited monitoring
activities allowed when the province was under military
rule.

However, KIP Aceh could prevent foreign humanitarian workers
in Aceh from working as observers during the elections in
line with joint decrees on foreign observers signed by the
Minister of Home Affairs Muh. Ma'ruf and Minister of Foreign
Affair Hassan Wirayuda.

"The regulation is intended mainly to prevent foreign
humanitarian workers from changing their professions,
because Aceh is still in need of their assistance,"
Ikhwanussufa said.

According to the decree, representatives of other countries
are allowed to become observers in Aceh's elections as long
as they join accredited observer institutions from their
respective countries.

Those from European Union countries must join the EU's
Election Observation Mission while those from Asian
countries will become part of the Asian Network for Free
Elections.

Non-nationals will also be required to obtain special
cultural visas issued by the Foreign Ministry.

"KIP will only be in charge of authorizing the foreign
candidates in line with the ministry's ruling," Ikhwanussufa
said.

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Joyo Indonesia News Service
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