Golkar relies on programs, personalities in local elections<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan<\/p>\n
Golkar Party leader Jusuf Kalla told party members that building
\na good reputation and offering programs to help the people were
\ncrucial to the party's success in upcoming regional elections.<\/p>\n
Speaking before an estimated 1,500 Golkar members and
\nsupporters here on Saturday, Kalla, who is also the country's
\nVice President, said the regional elections in June would be
\ndifferent from past polls because this time people would directly
\nelect their local leaders. He said this meant Golkar could no
\nlonger rely on political deals with other parties to help its
\ncandidates win election.<\/p>\n
\"Our main strategy for winning local elections is to nominate
\nsaleable candidates with good track records, strong leadership
\nskills and concrete programs that benefit as many people as
\npossible,\" said Kalla.<\/p>\n
He said this strategy worked during the 2004 legislative
\nelection, in which Golkar won the most seats in the House of
\nRepresentatives.<\/p>\n
Kalla said the fact that Golkar, the political machine of
\nformer authoritarian president Soeharto, had remained solid when
\nother major political parties were battling internal conflicts
\nwould help Golkar candidates running in local elections.<\/p>\n
\"Unlike other major parties that are burdened with internal
\nconflicts, Golkar has remained solid. We must maintain this,
\nespecially during the campaign season and voting day. Golkar must
\nwin the most top posts in local administrations to maintain the
\npeople's confidence and to prepare the party for the 2009 general
\nelection,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), the
\nUnited Development Party (PPP) and the National Awakening Party
\n(PKB) have all faced nasty internal splits that many observers
\nbelieve have weakened the parties.<\/p>\n
During the meeting on Saturday, Kalla officially nominated
\nGusti Iskandar and Hafiz Ariansyah as Golkar's gubernatorial and
\nvice gubernatorial candidates respectively for South Kalimantan.
\nHe also nominated seven regent and mayoral candidates for the
\nprovince.<\/p>\n
Over the last two months, Kalla has traveled to several
\nprovinces, regencies and mayoralties officially to nominate the
\nparty's candidates for local elections.<\/p>\n
Golkar candidates will contest seven gubernatorial elections
\nand 163 regent and mayoral elections in June.<\/p>\n
He also asked local General Elections Commissions (KPUDs) to
\ntake action against any Golkar candidates who violated local
\nelection rules, saying all parties and their candidates must be
\ntreated equally.<\/p>\n
\"Golkar and other political parties are not allowed to ask
\nsenior government officials to force civil servants to vote for
\nspecific candidates. The KPUDs should not hesitate to take action
\nagainst (such violations),\" he said.<\/p>\n
He added that in accordance with the law, civil servants and
\nsecurity personnel must remain politically neutrality to ensure
\nfair elections.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/golkar-relies-on-programs-personalities-in-local-elections-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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