KPU warned of poll delay

SEMARANG: Yusril Ihza Mahendra, leader of the Crescent Star Party (PBB), said on Tuesday the General Elections Commission (KPU) must not delay the April 5 legislative election.

Delaying the elections would violate the elections law and, if the KPU insisted on a delay, members of the commission could be brought to court, he said.

"The election can be delayed if there is a natural disaster or a riot. But there would be no reason for the KPU to delay it on technical reasons such as a lack of ballot boxes or ballot papers. If it delays it, it would foil the elections and it (the KPU) could be brought to court," Yusril, who is also the minister of justice and human rights, said while campaigning for the PBB in Semarang.

He said the KPU had sufficient time to arrange all of the logistics for the elections. Logistics have been a major problem for the KPU. Many regional elections commissions have warned of a lack of ballot boxes and ballot papers, which they say could force a delay of the polls. -- JP