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Report/Paper
Electoral System Proposed in Draft Election Law: Multi-Member District Proportional Representation and Open List Voting
This report is an analysis of newly proposed election laws in Indonesia. The document details various voting methods, the selection of the number of seats in parliament and voter districts.
June 30, 2002
Publication
Report/Paper
IFES in Indonesia
-Legal and Constitutional Reform- IFES promotes legal and constitutional reform in Indonesia as part of an overall effort to encourage democracy in the region, working closely with key government agencies involved in drafting new electoral and political laws for the country. We have provided strategic advice and analysis to the drafting team within the Ministry of Home and Regional Affairs (MoHARA) and will continue to provide expert commentary to the parliamentary commission charged with review of the draft laws submitted by the government. We have also produced a report on voting systems that could work under the new electoral laws, including detailed analysis of possible voting districts using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology. In June 2002, IFES co-sponsored a Political Party Reform Conference with the National Democratic Institute and the International Republican Institute. The conference was a working session for Indonesian political parties and broke ground on a number of innovative research projects in such areas as the influence of money in politics and the public’s opinion of Indonesian political parties. We presented a paper on electoral systems, such as open list proportional representation and multi-member district proportional representation, which could be used for the 2004 elections in Indonesia. IFES has taken the lead in addressing the issue of women’s representation in politics. In April 2002, we collaborated with an Indonesian NGO, GPSP, to develop an agenda for a nationwide training program and an action plan to increase women’s representation in local parliaments. The training program and action plan were presented at regional workshops where participants developed local strategies to address obstacles to women’s representation. -Election Administration- For four years IFES has provided technical advice to the Indonesian National Election Commission (KPU) and its Secretariat in such areas as electoral management, public relations, organizational structure and procurement policies. In May 2002, IFES embarked on a new initiative in the province of Aceh, participating in a seminar sponsored by the Center for Electoral Reform (CETRO) on the draft Qa’nun, or electoral law, for direct elections in the province. We made a presentation at the seminar on the timeframe required to prepare for such an important and complex election cycle. -Legislative Transparency- IFES is expanding efforts to increase legislative transparency, particularly at the local level. Through the use of an innovative program known as Local Consultative Forums (LCF), we have built strategic partnerships between local NGOs, community groups, businesses and government. The aim of the LCFs is to increase public awareness and input on issues of interest to the community and to coordinate the production of relevant radio and television programming for regional media. IFES began the program by producing and distributing an LCF handbook, which provides guidance in identifying community needs and methods for participation. We have then assisted local leaders to establish LCFs and facilitated the production of radio and television programs in conjunction with local government and civil society groups. IFES also works with the Indonesian parliament to provide citizens unfettered access to government institutions. In October 1999, we helped launch SWARA, a government affairs television channel based on C-SPAN in the United States. SWARA airs 24 hours per day and features live broadcasts of parliamentary proceedings. Coverage has recently been expanded and enhanced through a number of original new shows, including interviews with the heads of factions, coverage of leadership activities, profiles of parliamentary members, and highlights of key debates and activities within the parliament. SWARA has also extended its coverage in key regions outside of Jakarta where provincial parliaments (DPRD) have requested SWARA programming. SWARA recently began to broadcast DPRD sessions from the troubled province of Aceh in an attempt to make the local government more transparent to the Acehnese people. SWARA also broadcasts DPRD sessions in East Java and Sulawesi. -National and Regional Surveys- IFES has played a lead role in the design, implementation and analysis of public opinion surveys in Indonesia since 1998. Under the auspices of the parliament, we conducted a national public opinion poll in 2002. The poll revealed public perceptions on a wide range of topics, including the performance of the Indonesian government and national leaders, the popularity of political parties, the electoral law reform process and regional autonomy. The results of the survey were presented to the two houses of parliament, their secretariats, the president and her cabinet. These surveys enable government institutions to develop policies that take into account the beliefs and aspirations of the Indonesian people. IFES also recently conducted a public opinion survey in the semi-autonomous region of West Papua in collaboration with eight Papuan research institutes and universities. The survey evaluated the knowledge, opinions, practices and attitudes of people living in West Papua, and the findings will be analyzed for opportunities to create a stable and peaceful society in this ethnically diverse province.
December 31, 2001
Publication
Report/Paper
Effective Electoral Processes and Peaceful Political Transitions
IFES has been engaged in a broad range of election assistance activities since August 1998 to support Indonesia’s remarkable emergence as a robust democracy. In its most recent project, IFES provided advice and support to the relevant government bodies responsible for establishing an impartial and effective election administration in Indonesia, promoted transparent electoral and legislative processes and effective participation by citizens, and supported a peaceful transition under an amended constitution. The project was active from April 2003 through September 2005. Activities were based on IFES’ on-going observations, assessments, and experience in Indonesia since 1998 and they addressed key objectives in the electoral environment: 1) Help appropriate Indonesian organizations build an impartial and effective electoral administration, voter information capacity, and legal frameworks. 2) Unofficially inform voters and the public of the election results and verify information from the General Election Commission (KPU).
September 29, 2005
Publication
Report/Paper
Evaluation Report of Election Supervisors (2005)
Barely five years after the 1999 General Elections which marked the first democratic elections in Indonesia since 1955, another General Elections was held in 2004 which was expected to take a step farther the 1999 electoral exercises. Armed with new laws, regulations, and decrees to implement a new elections system; with the technical and financial support of the international community; with more enlightened and better equipped electoral management and supervisory bodies; and with the renewed hope and interest of civil society groups - the stakes were high and expectations were extraordinary that the 2004 elections would be a showcase of the new Indonesian democratic political process. In real terms and for the ordinary Indonesian citizens, why was the 2004 elections significant? Did they think that it would bring an improvement in their lives? The 2003 IFES survey in Indonesia revealed that the level of optimism regarding the economic and security conditions in the country decreased significantly since 2002. Just like previous IFES surveys in Indonesia, the economic situation remained the problem of greatest concern to majority of the citizens. Majority of Indonesians were also dissatisfied with the implementation of most aspects of the reform agenda. As a result of this, the people’s evaluation of the performance of government actions and of most national leaders and institutions plummeted. For instance, in 2003 – the height of elections preparations and the beginning of some of the stages of election implementation – 71% of the people thought that the government’s actions brought little or no improvement to the country. This was a rise in people’s dissatisfaction compared to 2002 which, although still high, was a bit lower at 66%. A majority of those aware of the presidency, DPR, and MPR were dissatisfied with performance of these institutions.
December 31, 2004
Publication
Report/Paper
Valoracion Tecnica de Los Procesos Electorales Elecciones Generales del 2003: Republica de Guatemala, Informe Final
December 31, 2003
Publication
Book
Gender Equality & Election Management Bodies: A Best Practices Guide
The full participation of women and men in a country's political and decision-making processes as voters, candidates, elected officials and electoral management body (EMB) staff is crucial. Yet, despite a set of robust international instruments and many positive developments in recent years, women represent only 21.7 percent of world's parliamentarians and in many countries they continue to be marginalized and underrepresented in political and electoral processes. Clearly, major steps still need to be taken before true gender equality is achieved in this arena.
September 23, 2014
Publication
Report/Paper
Understanding the Success of Multiethnic Parties in Indonesia
IFES’ 2012 Hybl Fellow Geoffrey Macdonald focuses on the influence of election rules in preventing the rise of ethnic parties in Indonesia in this Democracy Fellowship Paper.
February 14, 2013
Publication
Report/Paper
Opportunity for Electoral Reform: Election Administration
This report provides analysis of the current structures and institutions of election administration in Indonesia and offers recommendations for improving their performance. The report assesses operations of these administrative bodies in light of experience of June 1999 general elections and June 2000 changes to Indonesia’s election law. Comparative information regarding international practices and experiences in election administration is utilized to illustrate important points. However, the report recognizes the need for Indonesian practices to fit Indonesian cultural and political circumstances. Because the report’s focus is on core issues of organizational operations in election administration, many other important and related issues for electoral reform are not addressed. IFES is engaged in providing ongoing technical assistance to Indonesian officials and election experts in other areas, such as political finance regulation and complaint adjudication. Also, this report does not consider in detail several major issues that are still being debated in Indonesia, such as the method of electing the President, or whether to adopt a “single member constituency” rather than a proportional representation electoral system.
November 30, 2001
Publication
Report/Paper
Opportunity for Electoral Reform in Indonesia: CEPPS Final Report
This report provides analysis of the current structures and institutions of election administration in Indonesia and offers recommendations for improving their performance. The report assesses operations of these administrative bodies in light of experience of June 1999 general elections and June 2000 changes to Indonesia’s election law. Comparative information regarding international practices and experiences in election administration is utilized to illustrate important points. However, the report recognizes the need for Indonesian practices to fit Indonesian cultural and political circumstances. Because the report’s focus is on core issues of organizational operations in election administration, many other important and related issues for electoral reform are not addressed. IFES is engaged in providing ongoing technical assistance to Indonesian officials and election experts in other areas, such as political finance regulation and complaint adjudication. Also, this report does not consider in detail several major issues that are still being debated in Indonesia, such as the method of electing the President, or whether to adopt a “single member constituency” rather than a proportional representation electoral system. TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF TERMS AND ABBREVIATIONS I SCOPE OF REPORT II EXECUTIVE SUMMARY III INTRODUCTION A Election Circumstances B Election Administration 1. Legislative Framework 2. Administrative Arrangements 3. Operational Performance 4. Enforcement of Electoral Law 5. Reform of Election Administration IV ELECTION ADMINISTRATION IN A DEMOCRACY A Principles B Elements V OVERVIEW OF ELECTION ADMINISTRATION IN INDONESIA A Structure B Composition & Appointment C Duties & Powers D Secretariats 1. National Level 2. Provincial and Lower Levels VI STRUCTURE & OPERATIONS OF NATIONAL ELECTION COMMISSION (KPU) A Management Structures for the 1999 Elections 1. KPU Committees 2. KPU Secretariat B Lessons from the 1999 General Elections 1. Independence & Impartiality 2. Structure 3. Operations C Reorganization & Reform: 1. Recommendations 2. Powers, Responsibilities and Accountability a. Powers b. Role of PPI c. Responsibilities d. Accountability e. Remuneration 3. KPU Secretariat a. Secretary General b. Accountability of the Secretary General c. Relationship Between KPU and Secretary General d. Secretariat Staff Appointments and Conditions of Service 4. Organizational Structure of the KPU Secretariat 5. Priorities a. Timetable VII STRUCTURE & OPERATIONS OF IMPLEMENTING ELECTION COMMITTEES A Lessons from the 1999 General Elections B Reorganization & Reform: Recommendations 1. Structure, Duties & Powers 2. Composition & Appointment a. Party Representation b. Organizational Requirements and Characteristics c. Secretariat 3. Coordination, Communication & Logistics a. Election Materials VIII GENERAL ISSUES OF ELECTION ADMINISTRATION A Election Law 1. Timing of Election Law Review 2. Content of Election Law B Financial Autonomy & Accountability 1. Budgetary Planning 2. Source of KPU Funding 3. Responsibilities for Funding Elections 4. Financial Controls C Transparency and Integrity 1. Independence & Impartiality 2. Conduct of KPU & Election Committee Members & Staff 3. Open Access to KPU & Election Committee Activities & Information 4. Reporting and Accountability 5. External Auditing 6. International Linkages D Internal Management Improvement E Recruitment & Training 1. Recruitment of Secretariat Staff 2. Training and Professional Development 3. Training for External Organizations F Role of Political Parties 1. KPU, PPD-I & PPD-II Levels 2. PPS, PPK & KPPS Levels G Voter Registration H Vote Counting & Consolidation I Complaint Adjudication J Impact of Potential Change K Regional Autonomy IX CONCLUSION X SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS XI APPENDICES Appendix 1 – Summary of Main Features of National Election Management Bodies Appendix 2 – International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, Code of Conduct for Ethical and Professional Administration of Elections Appendix 3 – Text of Amending Law No 4 of 2000 to Law No 3 Of 1999 on General Elections Appendix 4 – Current Members of the National Election Commission (KPU) Appendix 5 – National Election Commission (KPU) Secretariat Organizational Chart, 1999 Election Appendix 6 – Proposed New Organizational Chart for Secretariat of National Election Commission (KPU) Appendix 7 – Service Conditions of Election Management Body Secretariats
November 30, 2001
Publication
Report/Paper
Accessible Elections for Persons with Disabilities in Five Southeast Asian Countries
All too often, persons with disabilities are not included in the political lives of their country on an equal basis with others. Accessible Elections for Persons with Disabilities in Five Southeast Asian Countries is the first systematic attempt to gather data on election access from Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, the Philippines and Vietnam. The report reviews – for persons with disabilities – existing legal frameworks, challenges and barriers in exercising political rights and participation; best practices and innovations; and examples of how disabled persons organizations have been involved in electoral issues.
October 25, 2013