KPU resists any intervention<\/p>\n
Arya Abhiseka, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The General Elections Commission (KPU) has resisted intervention
\nfrom the government and legislators who wanted to influence the
\ncommission's election timetable.<\/p>\n
KPU chairman Nazaruddin Sjamsuddin told The Jakarta Post on
\nMonday that both the government and several legislators had
\ncriticized the commission for not consulting them in determining
\nthe election date.<\/p>\n
\"It is not stipulated in the law that the KPU must consult the
\nHouse or the government in regards this matter. We are exercising
\nour rights as an independent body as written in law,\" Nazaruddin
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
He did not reveal the names of the legislators trying to
\ninfluence the commission in setting the election schedule.<\/p>\n
KPU has decided to hold elections for legislative members on
\nApril 5, 2004, with the results to be announced on May 5, while
\nthe government had requested that the general elections be held
\nin March next year.<\/p>\n
Nazaruddin said the House and the government were the two
\nparties responsible for passing the newly endorsed election law,
\nwhich ruled that the KPU was the sole independent body with the
\nauthority to organize the elections, including the election
\ndates.<\/p>\n
\"The House and the government should have stayed true to their
\ncommitment to let the KPU act as an independent body,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, several parties had expressed their support over
\nthe decision made by the KPU and their readiness to comply with
\nthe new election schedule.<\/p>\n
Ali Masykur Musa, spokesman from the National Awakening Party
\n(PKB), said that his party fully supported the decision and was
\nready to readjust the party's preparatory process to match the
\nelection schedule.<\/p>\n
\"We do not view the schedule as a threat to our party's
\npreparation for the next election,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Rully Chairul Azwar, spokesman from the Golkar Party, also
\naffirmed that his party was ready to make some adjustments in
\norder to meet the new schedule.<\/p>\n
\"We have taken some anticipatory measures and will not be
\naffected by the new ruling. The newly approved election date is
\nideal,\" he said.<\/p>\n
On the same occasion, Nazaruddin also confirmed that the KPU
\nhad considered holding the presidential election around June next
\nyear.<\/p>\n
\"We have budgeted about Rp 800 billion (US$90 million) for the
\ntwo-stage presidential election and are still awaiting the
\npresidential election bill to be passed,\" he said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/kpu-resists-any-intervention-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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