KPU sticks to registration plan

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.