KPU lacks election funds

KPU lacks election funds

JAKARTA: The General Elections Commission (KPU) has not allocated funds to finance the second stage of presidential elections due to a budget cut by the House of Representatives, according to a senior official in the commission.

"As far as I know KPU has not allocated funds for the second stage of the presidential elections because our budget has been cut by the House, from Rp 3.9 trillion to Rp 3 trillion in 2004," he said on Wednesday on condition of anonymity.

Indonesia will hold its presidential election on July 5, 2004. Should a clear winner fail to be produced, a second round election would be held in September to be participated in by the first two top-candidates from the first round.

According to the official, KPU would still increase the allowance for elections officials in subdistricts. He refused to mention any figure.

He said that the proposal had been submitted to the Ministry of Finance and would be further discussed with the ministry's officials. -JP