Expert wants role for KPU in organizing local elections
Expert wants role for KPU in organizing local elections
Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The government must give authority to the General Elections
Commission (KPU) in local elections to prevent the interference
of regional legislatures, an observer says.
Under Law No. 32/2004 on regional administrations, local
elections are organized by local election commissions (KPUDs),
which are accountable to regional legislatures (DPRDs).
"The KPU must be given the authority to minimize politicking
during regional elections," said Djohermansyah Djohan, a lecturer
with the Institute of State Administration (IIP), at a discussion
organized by The Habibie Center (THC) here on Wednesday.
According to him, the whole process of regional elections,
from preparations until the inauguration of elected figures, was
prone to intervention.
Beside minimizing possible intervention, he said, the role of
the KPU could also help reduce the cost of regional elections,
given the fact that local administrations only have limited funds
to finance the elections.
The granting of power to the KPU should be stated in the
government regulation currently being prepared by the home
affairs ministry, he said.
For the first time, the nation will see the direct elections
of governors, mayors, and regents next year. The first local
elections will be organized in June to elect 178 regents, 35
mayors and 11 governors.
The public, and non-governmental organizations, have
criticized Law No. 32/2004 for giving too much authority to the
government.
Mohammad Taufik, chairman of the Jakarta General Elections
Commission (KPUD), disclosed that local elections commissions had
considered seeking a judicial review of the law at the
Constitutional Court.
They said that Law No. 32/2004 was not in line with the
Constitution, which states that the KPU deals with general
elections.
Meanwhile, Didik Supriyanto, who was a member of the now
defunct Election Supervisory Committee (Panwaslu) warned the
government and the security apparatus of potential conflicts
during the regional elections.
A possible source of conflict could be Law No. 32/2004, which
does not allow independent local leaders to contest the
leadership race.
The law says that an independent figure may only contest the
race if they are nominated by a political party, or group of
parties, that secure at least 15 percent of the vote, or seats in
the local legislature.
"In some regions, local leaders have started to campaign. They
don't understand that they must be nominated by a political
party," Didik said, adding that the home ministry should
disseminate adequate information on regional elections.