KPU hopes for no dealy in 2004 polls
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.