Indonesian Military (TNI) personnel may get to vote in the 2014 elections with most parties supporting the idea to end a decades-long policy banning soldiers from casting ballots.

"The situation has changed and the reform within the TNI has been good, even better than in other government institutions," Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) secretary-general Anis Matta said Sunday.

He added that soldiers had a right to vote, just like other citizens. "The TNI no longer plays a dual role," he said, referring to the military's heavy presence both in security and politics during the New Order.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said last Friday it was possible for military personnel to vote and run for political office. TNI personnel have only voted once in post-independence Indonesia, during the 1955 legislative elections.

During the New Order era, the military automatically received up to 100 seats in the House of Representatives. The loyalty of the military wing was squarely for then president Soeharto and his ruling Golkar Party.

The reform era saw mounting protests from student activists to put an end to the military's dual role, which at that time paved the way for state-endorsed military violence.

The TNI and National Police wing at the House was later dissolved in 2004 while the 2003 Election Law banned TNI personnel from voting in the 2004 elections. Golkar legislator Tantowi Yahya said the current crop of TNI personnel were different. "In the past, the military was a tool for securing the political interests of certain groups. But things have changed," Tantowi told The Jakarta Post.

"What is the difference between [TNI personnel] and civilians?" he said, pointing out that military personnel were also citizens. "A transparent mechanism can ensure their independence in relation to their involvement in the political arena," Tantowi added.

A deputy head of the House Commission I overseeing defense and foreign affairs, Tubagus Hasanuddin from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), said he welcomed the TNI's plan to conduct a feasibility study on the military voting in the 2014 elections.

Last week, TNI Commander Gen. Djoko Santoso said his institution was considering implementing a policy that would allow active soldiers to vote.

"We need to clarify the election law to stipulate whether the military is capable of independently taking part in elections," Tubagus said. He added there would be consequences if the military was given the right to vote, therefore clear regulations were needed.

The 2009 Election Law does not explicitly bar military personnel from voting, but they could not vote in last year's election due to internal military regulations.

"I think the TNI will be ready to vote if we educate them on their right," University of Indonesia defense analyst Andi Widjajanto told the Post. He added that to avoid vote buying, the government should also address soldiers' welfare.

"The TNI, the National Police and civil servants are the same: they are vulnerable to being used as tools for any political interest, therefore we have to prepare the TNI well," he said.

However, National Mandate Party (PAN) legislator Muhammad Najib said it was better to stick to the status quo, with the military remaining impartial. "They should carry on their duties [without getting involved in politics]," Najib said. (ipa)