Only 94 candidates return DPD forms
Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The General Elections Commission (KPU) has decided to extend the registration period for Jakarta's Regional Representative Council (DPD) due to a shortfall in the number of contestants.
Of the total 575 people who had picked up the registration forms to compete for four DPD seats, only 94 had returned the forms before Monday's midnight deadline.
The KPU is giving another week for candidates from all over the country to fulfill the requirements before they return the forms to the local General Elections Commission (KPUD).
Apparently, most candidates find it difficult to meet the requirements for enclosing copies of their supporters' ID cards. Each Jakarta candidate is required to submit 3,000 photocopies of their supporters' IDs.
KPU Jakarta chairman M. Taufik said 21 percent of those who had returned the forms might be disqualified for failing to enclose the required number of their supporters' IDs.
"Many of them only submitted 1,000 copies. Of course they will not pass the verification process," Taufik told the press on Tuesday.
The verification process will last until Oct. 31.
Among noted public figures who have returned their registration forms are former environment minister Sarwono Kusumaatmadja, businessman Pontjo Sutowo, businesswoman Mooryati Soedibyo, businesswoman Kemala Motik, Fadloli El Muhir, businessman Biem T Benyamin, Soerjani Tohir, and Rusdi Saleh.
Taufik also said that only 16 percent of the candidates who had returned their forms were born in Jakarta, while the remainder came from other provinces.
According to Taufik, KPU Jakarta would give applicants who had not returned their forms until Sept. 15, in line with the central KPU's policy. In the meantime, KPU Jakarta would continue processing the forms that had been returned, he said.
A number of organizations from several universities and non- governmental organization activists are helping KPU Jakarta check the returned forms.
Candidates who pass the verification process will be eligible to contest the legislative elections on April 3, 2004.
The planned DPD will be the first Regional Representatives Council to be elected directly by the people. Each province will have four DPD members.
Members of the DPD and the House of Representatives (DPR) would establish the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), which is the highest legislative body in the country.
At the MPR, regions are currently represented by the Regional Representative Faction, whose members are appointed by the provincial legislative councils.
The responsibilities of the new DPD will include formulating bills related to regional autonomy, management of natural resources and liaising between local administrations and the central government.