KPU finishes verification of three party lists

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.