Amien says amendments under way

JAKARTA: People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Speaker Amien Rais confirmed on Tuesday that moves were under way to accelerate amendments to the 1945 Constitution, especially chapters related to general elections.

Amien said MPR members had been asked to sign a form calling for the 2002 MPR annual meeting in August to focus on general elections so that the General Elections Committee could start making preparations for the 2004 general election.

"Forms have been distributed to MPR members asking for their endorsement of a plan that the 2002 MPR Annual Session focus on topics in the 1945 Constitution related to general elections," Amien was quoted by Antara as saying on Tuesday.

If the amendments are completed in the 2002 Annual Session, the General Elections Commission could start making preparations for the 2004 general election and, together with House of Representatives members, could begin deliberating a new general elections law, Amien said.

During the 2001 Annual Session, MPR members agreed on an electoral system and a direct presidential election but differed on steps to be taken if no candidate garnered 50 percent of the vote. -- Antara