Elections could be postponed: Minister<\/p>\n
P.C. Naommy and Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
In spite of repeated assurances from the General Election
\nCommission (KPU) that the election would be held on schedule,
\nseveral delays in the preparations have led one highly placed
\nminister to consider a delay.<\/p>\n
Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs ad
\ninterim Hari Sabarno hinted on Wednesday that the election may be
\ndelayed in certain areas due to problems with the procurement and
\ndistribution of polling materials including 660 million ballot
\npapers.<\/p>\n
After a meeting on security preparations for the election,
\nHari said it now appeared impossible to deliver all materials 10
\ndays (March 26) before the election, planned for April 5.<\/p>\n
Under Election Law No. 12\/2003, ballot papers must reach the
\nvillage election committees and overseas election committees 10
\ndays before election day.<\/p>\n
Hari said if by March 26, a number of areas had not yet
\nreceived the materials, then the KPU, coordinating with the
\npresident and the legislature, would enact emergency actions,
\nsuch as delaying the election.<\/p>\n
Hari said that there were about 22 articles in the Election
\nLaw No. 12\/2003 and No. 23\/2003 which dealt with election delays.<\/p>\n
Under articles 118 and 119 of the Election Law, a rescheduling
\nof the election in certain areas is possible under certain
\ncircumstances, such as social unrest, natural disasters or other
\nsecurity disturbances, which could lead to a disruption.<\/p>\n
As a direct consequence of rescheduling, Hari said the
\ntabulation of the votes would also be delayed.<\/p>\n
A decision will be made after a consultation meeting with the
\nKPU, the president and the legislature, Hari said.<\/p>\n
The KPU must publicly announce the progress of election
\nmaterials, up to 10 days before the polling day.<\/p>\n
Commission spokesman Lukman Syah said that as of early
\nWednesday there were no regions which were completely without
\nelection materials.<\/p>\n
A delay would only be \"half a day\" at the most, Lukman said.<\/p>\n
Separately KPU chairman Nazaruddin Sjamsuddin, said Wednesday
\nthat the Commission would consult with the government and the
\nHouse of Representatives within the next few days, to decide on
\nwhat measures would be taken -- while reiterating that the KPU
\nwas not considering postponement.<\/p>\n
Nazaruddin said the printing of ballots for the House election
\nwere almost completed. All but one province now have all their
\nballots printed, he said, the exception being West Java for which
\nthe printing of ballots was also nearly complete.<\/p>\n
The printing of ballots for the Regional Representatives
\nCouncil (DPD) stood at 99.77 percent, provincial legislative
\ncouncil election at 95 percent, and regental\/municipal
\nlegislative election at 85 percent, he said.<\/p>\n
\"The printing of ballot paper for the House and DPD elections
\nis okay,\" he said.<\/p>\n
But printing of ballots for the provincial legislative council
\nin Riau had just reached 75 percent, Yogyakarta 56 percent,
\nBanten 50 percent, Southeast Sulawesi 95 percent and North
\nSumatra 99 percent.<\/p>\n
\"So far the printing of ballot paper for provincial
\nlegislative council election in 25 provinces stood at 100
\npercent, and only seven have not yet finished,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Printing of ballots paper for the regental\/municipal
\nlegislative elections in 17 provinces have not yet reached 100
\npercent, he said. He did not elaborate on the distribution of the
\nmaterials.<\/p>\n
Nazaruddin also said that 90 percent of indelible ink bottles
\nhad been delivered to regencies and municipalities.<\/p>",
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