Hendardi drops candidacy for elections commission

Hendardi drops candidacy for elections commission

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian Legal Aid and Human Rights
Association chairman Hendardi has withdrawn his candidacy for
the General Elections Commission (KPU), a legislator said on
Thursday.

"We received a letter from Hendardi (Thursday afternoon) and
it is his right (to withdraw his candidacy)," Ferry Mursyidan
Baldan, deputy chairman of House of Representatives Commission II
for legal and home affairs, said.

However, he questioned the reason for Hendardi's decision,
because the rights activist earlier stated his willingness to
join the commission.

"In the letter, he stated that he decided to withdraw his
candidacy due to the lack of transparency in the selection
process, while earlier he had agreed to join the commission.

"I do not see a clear reason for him to make such a decision,"
Ferry said.

Hendardi was among 21 candidates undergoing fit-and-proper
tests for selection to the commission. He was scheduled to appear
for a hearing with the House commission on Thursday.

Hendardi is the second candidate to withdraw his candidacy.
Earlier, a former student activist with the 1966 Student
Movement, Rahman Tolleng, said he did not wish to be considered
for the commission.

"It was different with Rahman because he never stated his
willingness to join the commission from the beginning of the
selection process, while Hendardi agreed (to his candidacy) and
we even rescheduled his test because he was in the United
States," Ferry said.

In Yogyakarta, political observer Andy A. Mallarangeng
suggested on Thursday House Commission II prioritize the quality
of the candidates, rather than simply trying to meet the target
of finding 11 commission members.

"The House should not force itself to meet the target of
selecting 11 members for KPU from the 21 candidates. If the House
finds that only five of the candidates are qualified, then that
should be enough for the time being," Andy, who is a former KPU
member, said.

The government initially submitted 22 candidates for the
elections commission to the House.

Andy warned that the fit-and-proper tests for the candidates
must be based on clear criteria, and those not selected to the
commission must be told why they were not chosen.

He said the elections commission could be a neutral
institution as long as the selection of its members was not
influenced by political interests.

He expressed optimism the next general election would be more
democratic if KPU was established as a neutral body. (dja/44)