An Indonesian election monitoring group says the government must share responsibility for widespread violence and unrest during the campaign for this week's general election.

The government and military have blamed the three politicial parties and fringe groups for the worst election violence in 30 years, but the Independent Election Monitoring Committee says the government is also to blame.

The group cited disproportionate television coverage of the ruling Golkar party, the use of religious leaders to mobilize Golkar support and the ousting of Megawati Sukarnoputri from leadership of the Indonesian Democratic Party.

It says the campaign process lacked transparency and the law failed to address electoral fraud and what it called "political corruption".

The group also warned that lack of transparency may lead to widespread doubt over the election results.

Indonesian's 124 million eligible voters go to the polls on Thursday.

Violence during the campaign has left about 260 people dead.