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.