Local direct election fails to get vote

Agus Maryono, The Jakarta Post, Purbalingga

The direct election of the heads of regional government is four month away but enthusiasm is still low in Purbalingga regency, Central Java. There is still no sign that people have expressed an intention to run for the posts of regent and deputy regent in the upcoming direct election, except the incumbent Regent Triyono Budi Sasongko, who is seeking reelection.

Chief of Purbalingga General Elections Commission (KPU) Sudarman expressed concern over the apathy among people to contest the direct election, which will be the first in the nation's history.

According to Sudarman, the low enthusiasm is due to the aversion most people feel for the current regent. Their candidacy could be considered a threat to the regent and people choose to avoid that, said Sudarman.

He called on people not to hesitate to contest in the upcoming election as they have the rights to do so.

The law on regional governments has ruled that every person, whether he or she is a party member or not, has a right to run for government office as long as he or she is nominated by a political parties.

According to Sudarman, the low enthusiasm among Purbalingga people was also caused by the absence of a governmental decree that stipulates the technicalities of the direct election.

The central government has reportedly been drafting a decree on the direct elections, but the decree has not yet been signed, he said. "The sluggish deliberation of the government decree could hamper the direct election. We are running out of time. If the government does not sign the decree immediately, I am afraid that the direct election may be postponed," said Sudarman.

Purbalingga is one of 15 regencies/municipalities in Central Java gearing up for direct election of heads of regional governments. The province has 45 regencies/municipalities.

Like Purbalingga, other regencies and municipalities in the province are waiting for the new decree.

KPU officials in Purbalingga hope that the new decree will come out soon, because it will be instrumental for the holding of the direct election.

The decree will provide technical guidance for the regional KPUs in holding the direct election.

15 regencies/municipalities gearing up for direct elections

1. Pekalongan 6. Blora 11. Semarang (regency)

2. Semarang 7. Boyolali 12. Purworejo

3. Rembang 8. Kebumen 13. Wonosobo

4. Magelang 9. Surakarta 14. Wonogiri

5. Sukohardjo 10. Kendal 15. Klaten