KPU to stick with own 2004 election schedule

Berni K. Moestafa and Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The General Elections Commission (KPU) declined to bow just yet to a government proposal for an earlier election schedule, as the final decision hinged on the passage of the direct presidential election bill, a KPU member said on Thursday.

"For now, we will proceed with our preparation schedule," said KPU member Ramlan Surbakti.

"Our preparations assume that the elections will be held in May (2004)," he told The Jakarta Post following a plenary KPU meeting.

Home Minister Hari Sabarno suggested that the election for House of Representative legislators be held in March and for the president and vice president in June to effectively shorten the term of President Megawati Soekarnoputri.

A semi-independent body, KPU is in charge of preparing the election next year.

However, following last year's amendment to the 1945 Constitution, Indonesians will have two national elections.

For the first time Indonesians will vote directly for the president and legislators.

The double election consequently demands more time to form a new government. And this could prolong Megawati's presidency beyond her mandate, which will expire in October 2004.

The 1999 election was held in June. Although Ramlan said that KPU was short of time, it would still be able to hold an election in May instead of June.

"The schedule depends on how the presidential elections are held," Ramlan said.

Two elections scenarios are on the table. The first requires that presidential candidates should be limited to those whose political parties have secured a minimum of seats at the House of Representatives.

This scenario consequently requires separate elections.

"The government's earlier election schedule is the consequence of its demand to have separate elections," explained Ramlan.

KPU favors a simultaneous election and is working based on such a scenario. "If the presidential election bill then calls for a separate election, we would have to revamp all our preparations."

Golkar Party chairman Akbar Tandjung threw his support behind an earlier election, saying that his party was "ready" for it.

But legislators appeared divided over the issue. Golkar's Ferry Mursyidan Baldan and Hamdan Zoelva of the Crescent Star Party (PBB) faction warned against undermining KPU's work.

Whereas legislators Yusuf Muhammad of the National Awakening Party (PKB) faction called for an earlier election, urging that Megawati's presidency must not surpass her mandate.

"We must ensure that there will be no constitutional problems next year. It is an anticipation of a possible extension of the presidential term," he said.

Legislators have yet to start debating the direct presidential bill, but estimate it will begin in early March.