KPU urges delay of local polls

KPU urges delay of local polls

Ridwan Max Sijabat, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

In line with the recent Constitutional Court decision, the
General Elections Commission (KPU) called on the central
government on Monday to delay the direct regional elections in
order to give minor parties more preparation time.

"Whether minor parties seize the opportunity to participate in
the planned local elections is another matter, but both the
government and the KPU's regional branches have the obligation to
assure them the chance," KPU deputy chairman Ramlan Surbakti
said.

Last week's Constitutional Court ruling allows minor parties
to propose candidates to run in the country's first direct
elections of governors, regents and mayors. The court ruled that
parties that do not have local council representatives can
propose candidates by forming a coalition of small parties that
jointly collected 15 percent of the vote in last year's general
election.

This decision was made following a request from smaller
parties in the regions for the court to review certain articles
of Law No. 32/2004 on local administrations.

While the court's latest ruling was applauded by pro-democracy
activists, some experts said the limited time available for minor
parties to make preparation and form a coalition would make it
difficult for them to participate in the important event.

The central government, through a presidential decree, has
decided to hold the regional elections in June.

The government is now preparing a government regulation in
lieu of law to accommodate the changes made by the Constitutional
Court on Law No. 32/2004.

Minister of Home Affairs M. Ma'ruf said an expert team was
working hard to prepare the regulation so that it could be issued
in time and the government would also adjust the schedule for
local elections in line with the Constitutional Court decision.

"The regulation in lieu of law will be issued soon after it is
completed by the expert team from the Ministry of Home Affairs
and the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights," he said, adding
that he and his aides were still discussing how the local
elections should be rescheduled.