Minister asks parties on requirements

JAKARTA: Minister of Justice and Human Rights Yusril Ihza Mahendra said on Wednesday that political parties would not be eligible to contest the 2004 general election if they failed to fulfill administrative requirements.

"All political parties must fulfill administrative requirements, otherwise their existence will not be recognized and they will not be eligible to join the coming general election," the minister told reporters here.

He also warned that a political party that passed the verification by the justice ministry may not necessarily be given authorization by the General Elections Committee (KPU) to contend the elections.

According to general election law, the KPU requires a political party to fulfill more thorough requirements than those required by the justice ministry.

Yusril said that, so far, 18 political parties had been examined by the ministry. -- Antara