Today, Saturday, 4 July 2009, is the last day for the three pairs of Candidate President/ Vice President to campaign before the Presidential Election on Wednesday, 8 July 2009.
According to the Presidential Election Law No.42/2008, from 5 until 8 July, the 3 pairs 1. Megawati/Prabowo, 2. Susilo Bambang Yudoyono/Boediono, 3. Jusuf Kalla/ Wiranto are not allowed to campaign. Further, the Law also restricted the news media from reporting election related stories.
But The Jakarta Post reported that last Friday the Constitutional Court (MK) has annulled the stipulation regarding news media restriction, saying that it is against our country's constitution which protects freedom of speech.
According to Kompas, MK has accepted the Judicial Review on Law No. 42/2008 Articles 188 (2&3), 228, & 255 that forbid announcement of polling results during the cooling down period. The Judicial Review was requested by the Association of Public Opinion Research.
With the above MK's decision, public opinion survey (poll) & Quick Counts results may be announced during the cooling down period. And as long as the polling is carried out by non partisan organization, its results would not manipulate the minds of the voters.
Showing posts with label Cooling down period. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cooling down period. Show all posts
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Election Cooling Down Period
The open Election Campaign conducted by 38 Political Parties from 16 March to 5 April 2009 will surely create great tensions among them and their supporters, which in the end will have frightening impact on our society in facing the general election on 9 April 2009.
Considering this fact and in compliance with the General Election Law No. 10/2008, after the campaign period ended, there will be a cooling down period from 6 to 8 April, before the voters go to the ballots. During this cooling down period, all political parties and their members are not allowed to do any action which can be considered as campaign. Beside that, according to The Jakarta Globe, the print and broadcast media, are not allowed to run news stories, advertisements, records of the political parties and its members, or other forms of publicity that would benefit or damage the parties.
Moreover, public opinion survey (Poll) are also banned from publishing survey results during the period. Violating that rule carries up to Rp 12 million equivalent to US$ 1,008.00 in fines. An association of survey firms has filed an appeal with the Constitutional Court to annul that article and several other related articles.
As an eligible voter, I can understand that the rule regarding the above cooling down period is intended to calm down the public. However, I think that announcement of Poll Survey during the cooling down period can be acceptable provided that they are conducted by institutions which have high credibility, reliability & good reputation.
Considering this fact and in compliance with the General Election Law No. 10/2008, after the campaign period ended, there will be a cooling down period from 6 to 8 April, before the voters go to the ballots. During this cooling down period, all political parties and their members are not allowed to do any action which can be considered as campaign. Beside that, according to The Jakarta Globe, the print and broadcast media, are not allowed to run news stories, advertisements, records of the political parties and its members, or other forms of publicity that would benefit or damage the parties.
Moreover, public opinion survey (Poll) are also banned from publishing survey results during the period. Violating that rule carries up to Rp 12 million equivalent to US$ 1,008.00 in fines. An association of survey firms has filed an appeal with the Constitutional Court to annul that article and several other related articles.
As an eligible voter, I can understand that the rule regarding the above cooling down period is intended to calm down the public. However, I think that announcement of Poll Survey during the cooling down period can be acceptable provided that they are conducted by institutions which have high credibility, reliability & good reputation.
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