Govt prepares chapter on direct presidential elections<\/p>\n
Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The government has drafted an additional chapter on direct
\npresidential elections to be incorporated into the general
\nelections bill.<\/p>\n
Minister of Home Affairs Hari Sabarno said on Saturday he
\nwould seek the House of Representatives' approval of the extra
\nchapter.<\/p>\n
He said the chapter on direct presidential elections was part
\nof the original government-sponsored bill on general elections,
\nbut was dropped pending the constitutional amendments that were
\nonly completed last week, paving the way for direct presidential
\nelections.<\/p>\n
\"Now we have to discuss with the House whether we have to
\nsubmit the additional chapter or draft a separate bill on
\npresidential elections,\" Hari said after attending Independence
\nDay celebrations at the Presidential Palace.<\/p>\n
The government has forwarded to the House bills on general
\nelections and political parties. Deliberation of the two draft
\nbills is expected to commence on Aug. 22.<\/p>\n
Direct presidential elections will be implemented in 2004,
\nthanks to the constitutional amendments finalized by the People's
\nConsultative Assembly earlier this month.<\/p>\n
But there has been a great deal of debate over the necessity
\nof a separate bill on presidential elections.<\/p>\n
\"Either way, the government is ready to submit the regulation,
\nwhich we have already prepared. We just have to wait for further
\ndiscussion with the House,\" the minister said.<\/p>\n
He underlined that the government was heeding calls to submit
\nthe regulation immediately, in order to facilitate the work of
\nthe General Elections Commission in preparing for the 2004
\nelections.<\/p>\n
Hari refused to go into detail when asked about the additional
\nchapter on direct presidential elections.<\/p>\n
Earlier on Friday, House Speaker Akbar Tandjung said the body
\nwould prioritize the deliberation of the two political bills
\nduring its current session.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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