CAMPAIGN FOR ONE-ROUND ELECTION DANGEROUS : OBSERVER

Jakarta, June 26 (ANTARA) - The campaign against a two-round presidential election is dangerous because it could lead to the justification of any means and dishonest practices in the run up to the polls, a political observer said.

"The anti-two-round presidential poll movement is something dangerous because it could lead to the use of unfair ways," political observer Maswadi Rauf said here on Friday.

He said it was not ethical to promote the idea of holding the election in just one round in the ongoing electoral campaign.

Rauf said the themes of an electoral campaign should be focused on the candidates visions and missions that could attract the voters' sympathy or support.

"An electoral campaign should dwell on issues expected to attract people's support. Campaigning for the idea that the election should be completed in only one round is beyond the limit of political propriety," he said.

Earlier, People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Chairman Hidayat Nur Wahid had also called on the nation's three presidential candidates to do their best to complete their upcoming race in just one round for the sake of efficiency.

"At the risk of being seen emulating the 'arrogance' of the SBY-Boediono camp, I entreat everybody to think in a way benefiting the nation in the long run, namely to complete the presidential election in a single round," Hidayat said last week.

In the meantime, presidential aspirant Megawati Soekarnoputri's running mate. Prabowo Subianto has said a one-round election is alright if it is conducted in a democratic way.

"One round is alright as long as the rules of the game are clear," Prabowo said in a campaign rally with thousands of farmers, fishermen, livestock breeders, community figures, and academics on Wednesday.

Prabowo said a one-round election should not produce an undemocratic government through manipulative, fraudulent, and other dishonest electoral practices.

"There was a report that a number of ballot papers have been torn so we have to keep on guard against such happenings," Prabowo said, adding that a one-round election was okay if it really served the people's interest.