Political campaigns and the raising of political awareness in Bali for the next legislative election were considered to be of low quality, an activist said Friday. I Made Suarnatha, director of the Wisnu Foundation, said most of the candidates were not heeding their responsibilities. “They are failing to properly raise political awareness among their constituents,” Suarnatha revealed, after attending numerous meetings between legislative candidates and their public. “All they did was deliver their name cards, distribute money, food and T-shirts,” he said.

The foundation conducted the study in eight locations in Sumber Klampok in Buleleng regency in North Bali, Kaliakah in Jembrana in West Bali, Persiapan in Tabanan regency, Pejeng in Gianyar, Candidasa in Karangasem in East Bali, Kapal in Badung regency, in Denpasar and Kedisan in Bangri regency.

Many candidates used religious holidays as an opportunity to distribute money. “During the last holidays, Galungan and Kuningan, they *the candidates* used these opportunities to socialize with their supporters while giving them money or other goods,” he said.

However some candidates appear to lack confidence in facing their potential supporters. “A lot of candidates have failed to make public appearances because they were too afraid to directly talk to their constituents,” Suarnatha said. When the foundation invited 52 candidates from Tabanan regency to present their proposed programs, only one candidate showed up. “This is very discouraging. How can people choose candidates who they do not even know? It is no wonder that people feel apathy and reluctance,” he added.

The foundation’s study also discovered that the majority of the candidates from all registered political parties ignored issues such as women, health, farmers, fishermen and young voters. Suarnatha said that more independent bodies should monitor the election process as well as the candidates’ activities once they were elected. “The social and political condition is quite vulnerable to any conflict,” he said.

I Made Ayutha, who represented the Bali Police’s Director for Intelligent and Security Affairs, said his agency had anticipated any possible conflicts that might appear during and post-election period. “We are already on the alert. We have to deal with any security issues that might prevent a fair election,” Ayutha said.

Ni Ketut Supatmini, a female candidate from Badung regency, urged the Bali police to work harder to deal with violence against candidates as well as their supporters.

Written by Luh De Suriyani
Published on The Jakarta Post – thejakartapost.com