KPU sticks to registration plan<\/p>\n
Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The General Elections Commission (KPU) dismissed on Monday a
\ndemand from a number of new political parties to delay the Dec.
\n29 deadline for the submission of the names of legislative
\ncandidates.<\/p>\n
KPU member Hamid Awaluddin told reporters on Monday that any
\nchanges to the schedule would cause a domino effect, with the
\npossibility of the election eventually being delayed.<\/p>\n
\"There is no acceptable reason to delay the registration
\ndeadline. The political parties should realize that if we
\npostpone the registration, this will affect the whole
\npreparations for the elections,\" Hamid said.<\/p>\n
Separately, KPU deputy chairman Ramlan Surbakti admitted there
\nwere some parties that faced difficulties in recruiting
\nlegislative aspirants.<\/p>\n
However, he said a delay to the registration period would make
\nit difficult for the KPU to distribute the ballot papers, which
\nwas scheduled to take place between Jan. 30 and March 10, 2004.<\/p>\n
The KPU started the registration process on Monday, but none
\nof the parties turned up to have their legislative candidates
\nofficially listed.<\/p>\n
Ramlan predicted that most parties would register their
\nlegislative candidates near the closing date on Dec. 29.<\/p>\n
After the registration, KPU would verify that all candidates
\nhave satisfied the requirements between Dec. 23 and Jan. 5, 2004,
\nand announce the verification results to the respective parties
\nbetween Dec. 27, 2003, and Jan. 12, 2004.<\/p>\n
Between Dec. 29, 2003, and Jan. 19, 2004, the candidates will
\nbe given the last chance to complete\/correct the required
\ndocuments.<\/p>\n
The KPU will meet again on Jan. 27 next year to determine the
\nfate of the legislative candidates and the list on the following
\ntwo days.<\/p>\n
A number of parties, including the New Indonesia Alliance
\nParty (Partai PIB), the Reform Star Party (PBR), the Freedom
\nParty and the United Democratic Nationhood Party (PPDK), have
\nfiled complaints with the KPU over the difficulties facing their
\nlegislative candidates in fulfilling the KPU's requirements,
\nparticularly as regards the need for certificates of good heath
\nand good conduct.<\/p>\n
Separately, the KPU and the Elections Supervisory Committee
\n(Panwaslu) agreed on Monday to allow political parties to hoist
\ntheir flags before the March 11-April 1 election campaign period
\nat their offices, local election commission (KPUD) offices, and
\ncertain locations that would be decided by the KPUD and the local
\nadministration.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Supervisory Commission member Topo Santoso said the
\ncommission would investigate reports from 14 parties that
\nattributed their failures to be approved to contest next year's
\nelection to unfair practices on the part of the KPUD.<\/p>\n
\"We will carry out a fact-finding process, and meet with the
\nKPUD to clarify the reports. Afterward we will hold a plenary
\nsession, and submit our findings to the KPU. The KPU will have
\nthe final say on our findings,\" he said.<\/p>\n
But he said parties were free to challenge the KPU's decisions
\nin court.<\/p>\n
Among the 14 political parties that filed reports with the
\nSupervisory Commission are the Nation Unity Party (PPB), the
\nMarhaenisme National Party (PNM), the Indonesian Nationalist
\nUnity Party (PPNI), the Reform Party, the Unity Democratic Party,
\nthe Republic of Indonesia Unitary Party (PKRI), and the
\nIndonesian Islam Party (PII).<\/p>\n
The KPU declared only 24 parties, including six old faces,
\neligible to contest the elections.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/kpu-sticks-to-registration-plan-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}