KPU sticks to party deadline

KPU sticks to party deadline

JAKARTA: The General Elections Commission (KPU) said on Tuesday that it would stick to the Oct. 9 deadline for political parties to register with the commission.

"We will send a letter to the ministry of justice and human rights, saying that we are still keeping that deadline," KPU deputy chairman Ramlan Surbakti said.

The justice and human rights ministry had requested an extension of almost two weeks to allow the office enough time to verify over 60 political parties.

Last week, KPU member Mulyana W. Kusumah told senior officials at the ministry that KPU would decide whether or not to delay the registration of parties with KPU on Tuesday's plenary meeting.

The ministry had urged KPU to extend the parties' registration period with the commission from Oct. 9 to Oct 19 as the ministry would only be able to announce the completed party verification on Oct. 12 instead of Sept. 27 as scheduled. -- JP