Only 94 candidates return DPD forms
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.