KPU draws lots for numerical party order<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Confusion and debate marked a lottery that
\ndecided on Friday the numerical order of 48 parties qualifying
\nfor the June 7 elections.<\/p>\n
A hilarious scene ensued when 53 members of the newly
\nestablished National Elections Committee (KPU) argued the merits
\nof a lottery machine to determine the order of parties on ballot
\nsheets.<\/p>\n
\"No! no! We do not want to use a machine, because it is prone
\nto engineering. Let's go with the manual paper selection method,\"
\na KPU member shouted, prompting audience laughter.<\/p>\n
The comment seemed to refer to the former government's alleged
\nelection rigging, which resulted in Golkar's election successes.<\/p>\n
\"It reminds us of the SDSB (philanthropic lottery to raise
\nfunds for sports) machine,\" another party representative said.<\/p>\n
The SDSB was denounced as a form of gambling and banned in
\n1994.<\/p>\n
The KPU, which comprises representatives of the 48 poll
\ncontestants and five government representatives, unanimously
\nagreed to the manual selection.<\/p>\n
Laughter punctuated the proceedings which lasted almost one
\nand a half hours.<\/p>\n
\"Hooray... thank God! Our party got a very good number,\"
\nJakob Tobing of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI
\nPerjuangan) said. He raised his hand and waved while displaying
\nthe number 11.<\/p>\n
The New Indonesia Party (PIB) representative, Sukarnotomo, was
\njubilant after his party was ranked first.<\/p>\n
\"Thank you God we are number one. It's the winner's number.\"<\/p>\n
Golkar Party, which in the past had position number two, is
\nnow ranked 33rd. The United Development Party (PPP) and the
\nIndonesian Democratic Party (PDI) are listed ninth and 32nd
\nrespectively.<\/p>\n
Top poll contenders the National Mandate Party (PAN), the
\nCrescent Star Party (PBB) and the National Awakening Party (PKB)
\nare numbered 15, 22 and 35 respectively.<\/p>\n
Last place was accorded to the Indonesian Workers Party (PPI).<\/p>\n
\"Well, we may be the last but not the least. People will
\neasily remember us,\" said Saud Aritonang of PPI.<\/p>\n
The session was interrupted when PBB representative Abdul
\nRachman Saleh demanded the KPU disqualify parties whose
\nrepresentatives did not attend the swearing in by President B.J.
\nHabibie on Thursday.<\/p>\n
Party representatives who refused to attend the KPU
\ninauguration were from the Indonesian Uni Democracy Party (PUDI),
\nIndonesian Democrats Alliance Party (PADI) and Democratic
\nPeople's Party (PRD).<\/p>\n
\"The political party law does not say anything about whether
\nKPU members are inaugurated by the President,\" PUDI chairman Sri
\nBintang Pamungkas said.<\/p>\n
KPU chairman Gen. (ret) Rudini said the matter would be
\ndiscussed on a separate occasion. (edt)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/kpu-draws-lots-for-numerical-party-order-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}