House endorses bill on general elections<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The House of Representatives endorsed on Monday
\nthe general election bill, which will become the basis of
\nestablishing a new, \"independent\" general election commission
\n(KPU).<\/p>\n
In a plenary session presided over by House Deputy Speaker
\nSoetardjo Soerjoguritno, all the House's 10 factions, except the
\nCrescent Star Party (PBB) faction, agreed on the bill.<\/p>\n
\"The bill was agreed to by all the factions, with the
\nexception of the PBB, which still did not approve it,\" Soetardjo
\nsaid before knocking his gavel.<\/p>\n
He questioned why the PBB had changed its stand on the bill,
\nsince it had earlier expressed approval for the bill in the
\nHouse's Commission for legal domestic affairs.<\/p>\n
The bill states the new general election commission will
\nconsist of 11 members, compared to the current commission which
\nhas 48 political party representatives and five government
\nrepresentatives.<\/p>\n
The bill requires that the 11 members be independent,
\nnonpartisan and free of influence from certain people, groups or
\npolitical parties.<\/p>\n
PBB's faction spokesman Darmansyah said on Monday that his
\nfaction disagreed with the requirement that commission members be
\nnonpartial.<\/p>\n
\"In the United States, members of political parties can be
\nmembers of its general election commission, as long as the people
\nare credible with good reputations,\" Darmansyah said.<\/p>\n
The passing of the bill effectively closes any hope for the
\ncontinued existence of the current commission, which presided
\nover last year's general election.<\/p>\n
KPU's acting chairman Agus Miftach rejected the bill endorsed
\nby the House, saying it was illegal because its formulation did
\nnot involve the current commission.<\/p>\n
\"The current KPU is the one which has a right to propose the
\nbill,\" Agus said.<\/p>\n
He said the KPU would react strongly if the bill, which will
\nrevise the current Law No. 3\/1999 on general elections, was
\napproved by the President.<\/p>\n
Agus did not elaborate on what kind of action the KPU would
\ntake.<\/p>\n
Minister of Home Affairs Surjadi Soedirdja said if the
\nPresident approved the bill the current KPU would automatically
\nbe replaced by the new one.<\/p>\n
\"The current KPU cannot reject a law,\" Surjadi said after the
\nsession.<\/p>\n
Monday's plenary session also agreed to revise laws No. 45 to
\nNo. 55\/1999 on new regencies, suggesting councils of new
\nregencies should be filled according to the results of last
\nyear's general election.<\/p>\n
The PBB faction disagreed with these revisions as well, on the
\ngrounds that no study had been conducted to prove that the new
\nregencies are not ready for local elections.<\/p>\n
PBB only has 13 legislators in the House.<\/p>\n
The current election commission, which is dominated by minor
\npolitical parties, has repeatedly said it would like to conduct
\nseparate local elections for new regencies. (jun)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/house-endorses-bill-on-general-elections-1447893297",
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