KPU to stick with own 2004 election schedule<\/p>\n
Berni K. Moestafa and Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post,
\nJakarta<\/p>\n
The General Elections Commission (KPU) declined to bow just
\nyet to a government proposal for an earlier election schedule, as
\nthe final decision hinged on the passage of the direct
\npresidential election bill, a KPU member said on Thursday.<\/p>\n
\"For now, we will proceed with our preparation schedule,\" said
\nKPU member Ramlan Surbakti.<\/p>\n
\"Our preparations assume that the elections will be held in
\nMay (2004),\" he told The Jakarta Post following a plenary KPU
\nmeeting.<\/p>\n
Home Minister Hari Sabarno suggested that the election for
\nHouse of Representative legislators be held in March and for the
\npresident and vice president in June to effectively shorten the
\nterm of President Megawati Soekarnoputri.<\/p>\n
A semi-independent body, KPU is in charge of preparing the
\nelection next year.<\/p>\n
However, following last year's amendment to the 1945
\nConstitution, Indonesians will have two national elections.<\/p>\n
For the first time Indonesians will vote directly for the
\npresident and legislators.<\/p>\n
The double election consequently demands more time to form a
\nnew government. And this could prolong Megawati's presidency
\nbeyond her mandate, which will expire in October 2004.<\/p>\n
The 1999 election was held in June. Although Ramlan said that
\nKPU was short of time, it would still be able to hold an election
\nin May instead of June.<\/p>\n
\"The schedule depends on how the presidential elections are
\nheld,\" Ramlan said.<\/p>\n
Two elections scenarios are on the table. The first requires
\nthat presidential candidates should be limited to those whose
\npolitical parties have secured a minimum of seats at the House of
\nRepresentatives.<\/p>\n
This scenario consequently requires separate elections.<\/p>\n
\"The government's earlier election schedule is the consequence
\nof its demand to have separate elections,\" explained Ramlan.<\/p>\n
KPU favors a simultaneous election and is working based on
\nsuch a scenario. \"If the presidential election bill then calls
\nfor a separate election, we would have to revamp all our
\npreparations.\"<\/p>\n
Golkar Party chairman Akbar Tandjung threw his support behind
\nan earlier election, saying that his party was \"ready\" for it.<\/p>\n
But legislators appeared divided over the issue. Golkar's
\nFerry Mursyidan Baldan and Hamdan Zoelva of the Crescent Star
\nParty (PBB) faction warned against undermining KPU's work.<\/p>\n
Whereas legislators Yusuf Muhammad of the National Awakening
\nParty (PKB) faction called for an earlier election, urging that
\nMegawati's presidency must not surpass her mandate.<\/p>\n
\"We must ensure that there will be no constitutional problems
\nnext year. It is an anticipation of a possible extension of the
\npresidential term,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Legislators have yet to start debating the direct presidential
\nbill, but estimate it will begin in early March.<\/p>",
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