JP\/5\/PILKADA<\/p>\n
Candidates gear up for June elections<\/p>\n
Oyos Saroso H.N., The Jakarta Post\/Bandarlampung<\/p>\n
Candidates vying for top posts in the direct elections for heads
\nof regional governments in Lampung province are confused over
\nwhich political party to register with, as each party has its own
\nscreening process.<\/p>\n
The complicated recruitment process had also motivated the
\ncandidates to register with several parties, as there is no
\nguarantee that the party of their choice will accept them as a
\ncandidate for the June elections.<\/p>\n
Bandarlampung municipal secretary Sjachrazad Z.P., for
\nexample, has registered himself with the Justice and Prosperity
\nParty (PKS), the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P)
\nand the Democratic Party. Sjachrazad, the younger brother of
\nLampung Governor Sjachroedin Z.P. is also planning to register
\nwith the Golkar Party.<\/p>\n
The selection process conducted by political parties, which
\nhas been seen by many as reformist and untarnished, has been
\ncriticized recently.<\/p>\n
The criticism has mainly been aimed at PKS, which has over the
\npast two weeks begun the screening process for the position of
\nBandarlampung mayor. The selection process is open to non-party
\ncandidates. The names of each candidate for mayor and deputy
\nmayor will be placed in the media after they pay a registration
\nfee of Rp 2.5 million (US$280.00). They will then be evaluated by
\nthe public and eventually selected by a committee of 2,000 PKS
\nmembers in an election they call the Grand Election.<\/p>\n
Despite giving the impression of being transparent, the
\nprocedure has received harsh criticism from various circles.<\/p>\n
Former Democratic People's Party (PRD) activist Andi Arief,
\nsaid that PKS had lied to the public because they had already
\ndecided on a candidate from within the party.<\/p>\n
\"If they already have their own internal candidate, why are
\nthey asking for registration fees from outsiders? It's sheer
\ndeception. Besides, the ones determining the outcome are the PKS
\nmembers themselves,\" said Andi.<\/p>\n
Head of the PKS selection committee, Heri Mulyadi, refuted
\nAndi's claim. According to him, the transparent selection process
\nwould accommodate the aspirations of the public at large to
\nselect the right candidate. Each stage of the recruitment process
\nwill be done responsibly, said Heri.<\/p>\n
Unlike PKS which requires candidates to pay Rp 2.5 million for
\nthe registration fee, the Democratic Party charges Rp 5 million
\nfor potential candidates.<\/p>\n
According to chairman of the Bandarlampung branch of the
\nDemocratic Party, Gafriyanto, the higher registration fee was to
\ndiscourage people from registering who were not serious about
\nrunning in the election.<\/p>\n
Although a bylaw on the elections is still pending, the
\nLampung General Elections Commission (KPU) has decided on June
\n27, 2005, as the date for the direct regental elections in
\nseveral regencies in Lampung.<\/p>\n
Two municipalities and three regencies will elect their
\nrespective heads on that day. They are the municipalities of
\nMetro and Bandarlampung, and the regencies of South and East
\nLampung, and Way Kanan.<\/p>\n
The election campaign may show more restraint than the
\ncampaigning during the past direct legislative and presidential
\nelections.<\/p>\n
In the past elections, legislative candidates and the success
\nteams of presidential candidates distributed cash, banners,
\nposters and calendars. Current candidates are adopting a
\nwait-and-see policy.<\/p>\n
Even though banners, posters and the like will still be used,
\nthe amount will be far less than the previous elections.<\/p>\n
According to the political adviser to one of the candidates
\nrunning for the post of Bandarlampung mayor, Mahendra Utama,
\ncandidates do not wish to spend excessively on such things until
\nthey are certain to be named a party candidate. \"They also don't
\nwant to be cheated by the parties,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Lampung KPU chief Suwondo said that the commission would
\nassist KPU offices in municipalities and regencies to prepare for
\nthe direct elections. Voter registration is slated for March next
\nyear, and names of candidates must be submitted by respective
\nparties in April, while the campaign period is set for May, 2005.<\/p>",
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