KPU hopes for no dealy in 2004 polls
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The General Elections Commission (KPU) shrugged off on Friday calls for a delay to the polls in particular areas, claiming that more than 95 percent of 650 million ballot papers had arrived in all regencies and municipalities.
The KPU data, however, shows that the printing of ballot papers was incomplete for certain provinces, let alone the distribution.
KPU chairman Nazaruddin Sjamsuddin expressed his guarded optimism that all ballot papers would reach polling stations by the April 5 election day.
"This is part of our commitment to meet the initial schedule. Besides, by sticking to the election schedule, we will secure the timetable for the presidential election, which is related to the results of the legislative election," he announced during a press conference.
"We will report this logistics status and consult with the government and the House of Representatives immediately."
Regarding election materials that might not reach remote areas before April 5, KPU would consult with the House and the government for anticipatory measures, he said.
According to the Law No. 12/2003 on election, ballot papers and other election materials must reach village election committees (PPS) and overseas election committees (PPLN) 10 days before election day, or March 26 in the case of this year's election.
Based on the latest KPU data, the printing of 162 million of ballot papers for the election of House of Representative members has been completed. The papers have been distributed to 30 provinces, with Riau lacking 29 percent of ballot papers required and Jakarta short by 9 just percent.
Ballot papers for the election of Regional Representatives Council (DPD) members have all been distributed to all 32 provinces, the data shows.
For election of provincial legislative council members, 98 percent of the ballot papers have been printed, with 95 percent having reached regencies. Lack of ballot papers have been found in Jakarta, Banten and West Java.
The printing of ballot papers for the election of regency legislative candidates has reached 95 percent, and distributed to all provinces except for North Sumatra and West Java, which lack 41 percent and 18 percent, respectively.
Meanwhile, KPU deputy chairman Ramlan Surbakti said that in the next five days, KPU should concentrate on the delivery of ballot papers from regencies to villages.
"At that time we will determine what measures should be taken if certain villages have not received ballot papers," he told reporters.
Separately, the government has decided to wait for reports from the KPU before deciding whether to delay the April 5 legislative election or not.
"KPU is responsible for elections, the government cannot interfere in the process," Minister for Home Affairs Hari Sabarno said after attending a Cabinet meeting on election preparations led by President Megawati Soekarnoputri on Friday.
According to the minister, the commission must come up with suggestions if it needed assistance.
He said the government has not discussed the possibility of issuing a government regulation in lieu of law to amend the election law, should a delay appear unavoidable.
Hari said KPU data only covered the printing and distribution of ballot papers but could not monitor how many had arrived at their final destinations.
"Therefore the President has instructed all regencies and municipalities to report the number of ballot papers which have reached them. We will have a teleconference to check the report on Sunday," Hari said.
Meanwhile, Crescent Star Party (PBB) Chairman Yusril Ihza Mahendra said his party would sue the KPU if the legislative election failed to take place on schedule.
"We have spent lots of money for the campaign and if the commission fails to hold the election on time, they must provide compensation to all political parties," he said after a campaign rally in Rawamangun, East Jakarta.