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.