Regional governments bemoan election funds shortage<\/p>\n
Nana Rukmana and Rusman, The Jakarta Post\/Indramayu\/Samarinda<\/p>\n
Central government needed to inject more funds into the Indramayu
\nregency because the administration was short of money to run the
\nlocal elections, the region's regent says.<\/p>\n
Irianto M.S. Syaifuddin said his government could only
\nallocate between Rp 5 billion (US$555,555) and Rp 7 billion to
\nfinance the direct election. That amount was far below the
\nestimated election budget.<\/p>\n
"According to our estimates, we will need to spend Rp 22
\nbillion in order to ensure the election is a success. Given that
\nwe can only allocate Rp 5 to 7 Rp billion, we are short of Rp 17
\nbillion. This is a task for the central government -- to help
\nplug the deficit," Irianto said.<\/p>\n
The funds needed would cover election materials, voter
\nregistrations and the salaries of thousands of electoral workers,
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
"We must recruit and train thousands of people to be members
\nof election committees down to subdistrict level, and this is
\ncostly."<\/p>\n
Indramayu is not the only regional government calling for more
\ncentral government money to help it run the elections.<\/p>\n
Association of West Java Regional Governments (APKASI)
\nchairman Dedi Supardi said almost all local administrations in
\nWest Java had complained they were short of funds to finance
\ndirect elections in their regions. This year, the elections will
\nbe held in four regencies and one municipality in West Java.<\/p>\n
"All five regional governments have complained that they
\nlacked funds to finance the election. I believe the other 15
\nregional governments in the province will also have similar
\nproblems (in the future)" Dedi said.<\/p>\n
He said each regional government needed some Rp 20 billion to
\nhold the direct elections.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the direct elections in Kutai Kartanegara, East
\nKalimantan, could be postponed because of a prolonged dispute
\nbetween legislative and executive branches of local government.<\/p>\n
The direct election is scheduled to take place in May this
\nyear.<\/p>\n
The conflict was sparked recently following the provincial
\ngovernment's appointment of Awang Dharma Bhakti as the acting
\nregent of Kutai Kartanegara to replace Regent Syaukani.<\/p>\n
The regental councillors, backed by thousands of Syaukani
\nsupporters, rejected Awang's appointment, which led to a crisis
\nof government in the regency.<\/p>\n
"If the conflict is not resolved by May, then we will have to
\ndelay the direct election," Ischak Iskandar, the chairman of
\nKutai Kartanegara's General Elections Commission, said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/regional-governments-bemoan-election-funds-shortage-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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