KPU told to work harder

KPU told to work harder

JAKARTA: The Crescent Star Party (PBB) called on the General Elections Commission (KPU) on Monday to work harder in preparing for the 2004 general election, in order to ensure no delay in the election of the president and vice president.

PBB secretary-general MS Ka'ban said he was optimistic the country would be able to elect a new president by Oct. 2004, when President Megawati Soekarnoputri's term ends.

"We must finish the election of legislators at the local and national levels in June, so that in July or August we can elect a new president and vice president and finish the election process in September," he said.

Should the KPU be unable to meet the election timetable, there would be a vacuum of power in the government.

Under the amended 1945 Constitution, there is no possibility of extending the terms of the president and vice president. --Antara