KPU finishes verification of three party lists
Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The General Elections Commission (KPU) finally finished on Wednesday its verification of the lists of legislative candidates of the Crescent Star Party (PBB), the Freedom Party and the Social Democratic Labor Party (PBSD).
KPU member Anas Urbaningrum said PBB had 166 legislative aspirants that had passed the screening, while 162 others had yet to complete their documents.
Only 14 legislative candidates of the Freedom Party passed the screening, while 194 had to complete requirements. PBSD had 21 aspirants that passed the screening, but 324 lacked the required documents, he said.
Anas said for example, legislator Hamdan Zoelva of PBB failed to submit his education certificate, while PBSD chairman Mochtar Pakpahan also failed to submit his school certificate, family registration card and party membership card.
KPU finished on Tuesday its verification of the list of legislative aspirants from 21 parties.
With the verification of the last three parties' lists completed, there are now a total of 1,812 legislative candidates that have passed KPU screening.
All candidates must return their documents on Jan. 19 at the latest. KPU will announce the final list of aspiring legislators on Jan. 28 and Jan. 29.
Many, however, criticized the verification process having not been disclosed publicly, which would otherwise open the opportunity for the public to screen the aspirants.
Indonesia will hold legislative elections on April 5 and the two-phase presidential elections on July 5 and Sept. 20 respectively.
Separately, KPU and the Ministry of Education signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on information about the 2004 general elections that will allow KPU to use schools as polling stations.
The MOU, signed by KPU chairman Nazaruddin Sjamsuddin and Minister of Education A. Malik Fajar, will be valid for 12 months.
The signing ceremony was attended by KPU members Anas Urbaningrum, Valina Singka Subekti, Chusnul Mar'iyah, Daan Dimara, Director General of Elementary and Secondary Education Indra Djati Sidi, Director General of Non-formal Education Fasli Jalal and other senior officials at the ministry.
Under the MOU, KPU is obliged to disseminate information on general elections to first-time voters, especially students, to provide technical assistance to the operators of the information technology equipment, to decide the type of information and procedure of elections, and provide the related information to the ministry.
The ministry must prepare and determine trainers and students who are capable of assisting information technology operators and provide schools as polling stations.
"This MOU is important to familiarize new voters with the election process," Nazaruddin said.
Meanwhile, Malik Fajar said that universities could be used as campaign locations as long as those parties obtained a permit from the rectors.
So far, Bogor Institute of Institute (IPB) and the University of Gadjah Mada (UGM) have welcomed parties to campaign in universities, he added.
He added that other universities would not allow campaigning on campus for fear that it could cause conflict among students.