KPU demands full independence

The National Election Commission (KPU) is seeking complete independence from all state institutions to ensure impartiality in implementing its tasks.

The commission is currently attached to the Ministry of Home Affairs although all the 11 members are "independent" figures who have no links with any political party or the government.

KPU Chairman Nazaruddin Sjamsuddin said, "In the future, KPU should have a secretariat of its own (not at the home ministry)," Nazaruddin said.

The 11 KPU members who began their tenure in April 2001 were selected by legislators from among 22 nominees proposed by the government.

They replaced the former 53 controversial KPU members who consisted of 48 representatives of political parties and government appointees prior to the 1999 general elections.

Various decisions made by the 53-member commission often sparked controversy as many of them voiced the interests of their respective political parties.

KPU failed to agree on the results of the June 1999 general election. This prompted president B.J. Habibie to bypass the KPU and announce the results of the general election.

The 11-member KPU was set up in 2000 during president Abdurrahman Wahid's administration.

Nazaruddin expressed the hope that the separation of the KPU secretariat from the home ministry would be included in a revised law on general elections to be deliberated at the House in February. --JP