IRI Helps Parties Prepare for Parliamentary and Presidential Elections

October 10, 2003

IRI's Indonesia program is preparing political parties for next year's national elections with opinion polling and campaign training.

Over the last three months the Institute has conducted public opinion polls in three of its program provinces: Yogyakarta, East Java and North Sumatra. IRI is using these findings to help Indonesia's political parties develop issue-oriented campaigns and avert the type of violence that plagued the 1999 elections. The polls found that upwards of 40 to 50 percent of the Indonesian electorate in the regions polls remain undecided about which party they will vote for and that the economy will be the leading factor in making their final decision.

IRI is also conducting an active training program for Indonesia's political parties. Beginning on September 30 IRI began a two-day seminar entitled "Elements of Winning a Campaign II" in Makassar, South Sulawesi. The 59 participants from nine political parties learned how to create a campaign plan, organizing a campaign team and reaching out to voters and interest groups.

IRI also conducted a one day seminar on October 2 for Party Amanat National (PAN), one of Indonesia’s opposition parties, on campaign tactics and strategy at the request of the party’s leadership. The seminar was attended by 72 PAN leaders from all 26 districts in South Sulawesi.

Indonesia is scheduled to conduct parliamentary elections in April 2004, and the country’s first direct presidential election within three month of selecting a new parliament.

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