KPU sticks to registration plan
Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The General Elections Commission (KPU) dismissed on Monday a demand from a number of new political parties to delay the Dec. 29 deadline for the submission of the names of legislative candidates.
KPU member Hamid Awaluddin told reporters on Monday that any changes to the schedule would cause a domino effect, with the possibility of the election eventually being delayed.
"There is no acceptable reason to delay the registration deadline. The political parties should realize that if we postpone the registration, this will affect the whole preparations for the elections," Hamid said.
Separately, KPU deputy chairman Ramlan Surbakti admitted there were some parties that faced difficulties in recruiting legislative aspirants.
However, he said a delay to the registration period would make it difficult for the KPU to distribute the ballot papers, which was scheduled to take place between Jan. 30 and March 10, 2004.
The KPU started the registration process on Monday, but none of the parties turned up to have their legislative candidates officially listed.
Ramlan predicted that most parties would register their legislative candidates near the closing date on Dec. 29.
After the registration, KPU would verify that all candidates have satisfied the requirements between Dec. 23 and Jan. 5, 2004, and announce the verification results to the respective parties between Dec. 27, 2003, and Jan. 12, 2004.
Between Dec. 29, 2003, and Jan. 19, 2004, the candidates will be given the last chance to complete/correct the required documents.
The KPU will meet again on Jan. 27 next year to determine the fate of the legislative candidates and the list on the following two days.
A number of parties, including the New Indonesia Alliance Party (Partai PIB), the Reform Star Party (PBR), the Freedom Party and the United Democratic Nationhood Party (PPDK), have filed complaints with the KPU over the difficulties facing their legislative candidates in fulfilling the KPU's requirements, particularly as regards the need for certificates of good heath and good conduct.
Separately, the KPU and the Elections Supervisory Committee (Panwaslu) agreed on Monday to allow political parties to hoist their flags before the March 11-April 1 election campaign period at their offices, local election commission (KPUD) offices, and certain locations that would be decided by the KPUD and the local administration.
Meanwhile, Supervisory Commission member Topo Santoso said the commission would investigate reports from 14 parties that attributed their failures to be approved to contest next year's election to unfair practices on the part of the KPUD.
"We will carry out a fact-finding process, and meet with the KPUD to clarify the reports. Afterward we will hold a plenary session, and submit our findings to the KPU. The KPU will have the final say on our findings," he said.
But he said parties were free to challenge the KPU's decisions in court.
Among the 14 political parties that filed reports with the Supervisory Commission are the Nation Unity Party (PPB), the Marhaenisme National Party (PNM), the Indonesian Nationalist Unity Party (PPNI), the Reform Party, the Unity Democratic Party, the Republic of Indonesia Unitary Party (PKRI), and the Indonesian Islam Party (PII).
The KPU declared only 24 parties, including six old faces, eligible to contest the elections.