Govt Hopes Election Participation to Reach 75 Percent

Jakarta (Antara) - The Indonesian government hopes participation in the upcoming general elections could reach 75 percent or more. Coordinating minister for political, security and legal affairs Djoko Suyanto said in a press conference following a cabinet meeting led by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono here on Thursday that based on a survey carried out by his office participation rate was at 73 percent right now. "It is hoped it will rise to 75 percent in the remaining period," he said. Djoko said since the 1999 general elections participation tended to decline so that the government and the general election organizer had taken various efforts to increase it. "There is still 1.5 months left to increase the participation," he added. Djoko said the government also hoped that the legislative elections on April 9 and the presidential election on July 9 would go smoothly, peacefully, safely, fairly and honestly. "It is hoped no conflict or violence would happen in the society and to assure that therefore election participants as well as security apparatus and organizers must prevent them. Any complaint or protest against the election process must be conveyed through legal avenues," he said. The chief minister hoped that people would choose legislative assembly members and also national leader who have capacity and good qualities to continue the country's development process in the future. To make the event successful Djoko said the government was ready to help the General Elections Commission (KPU) in the distribution of logistics by providing military (TNI) and police fleets. "TNI only helps the police and would not operate by themselves. The essence is they would provide personnel in case they are needed," he said. (*) reporting by panca hari prabowo