Parties draw their electoral numbers
Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Shouts of joy and superstition marked the draw on Monday to determine the numerical order of the 24 parties that will contest the 2004 elections.
President Megawati Soekarnoputri's Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) drew number 18, House of Representatives Speaker Akbar Tandjung's Golkar Party drew number 20, Vice President Hamzah Haz' United Development Party was number 5, the National Awakening Party (PKB) 15th, the National Mandate Party (PAN) 13th and the Crescent Star Party number 3.
The remaining 18 parties drew their own luck, with the Marhaenisme Indonesian National Party led by Sukmawati Soekarnoputri topping the list and the Pioneers' Party led by Rachmawati Soekarnoputri coming in last. Sukmawati screamed with joy at drawing her party's placement.
The leaders of both political parties are Megawati's sisters.
The draw was attended by Megawati, Akbar, PAN chairman Amien Rais, PBB chairman Yusril Ihza Mahendra and most top executives of the parties.
PAN secretary-general M. Hatta Rajasa said his party's number did not reflect any bad luck.
"This number does not mean anything. The most important thing is to win the election," Hatta told reporters after the drawing.
Earlier in the day, the Unity Democratic Party (PDB) led by Bambang W. Soeharto and the Reform Struggle Rescue Party demanded clarification from the General Elections Commission (KPU) as to why they had been cut from the elections.
Bambang said on Monday his party's constituents needed to know the KPU's reasons for dropping PDB as an electoral contender.
Meanwhile, Reform Struggle Rescue Party secretary-general Masgar Kartanagara said his party was not satisfied with the screening process.
He said he had heard that his party had only failed to pass the screening in one North Sulawesi regency after the regency had rechecked its data.
According to published assessments in several mass media, he said his party should have passed with improvements in South Sulawesi regency.
"We want the KPU to explain why our party was eliminated from next year's elections. If there has been a mistake, we will take further action against the KPU," he said, but fell silent when asked if his party would take legal recourse against the KPU.
Number Political Parties Acronyms (in Indonesian)
1. Marhaenisme Indonesian National Party (PNI Marhaenisme)
2. Socialists' Democratic Labor Party (PBSD)
3. Crescent Star Party (PBB)
4. Freedom Party
5. United Development Party (PPP)
6. United Democratic Nationhood Party (PPDK)
7. New Indonesia Alliance Party (PPIB)
8. Freedom Bull National Party (PNBK)
9. Democratic Party
10. Indonesian Justice and Unity Party (PKP Indonesia)
11. Indonesian Democratic Vanguard Party (PPDI)
12. Indonesian Nahdlatul Community Party (PPNUI)
13. National Mandate Party (PAN)
14. Concern for the Nation Functional Party (PKPB)
15. National Awakening Party (PKB)
16. Prosperous Justice Party (PKS)
17. Reform Star Party (PBR)
18. Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan)
19. Prosperous Peace Party (PDS)
20. Golkar Party
21. Pancasila Patriots' Party
22. Indonesian Unity Party (PSI)
23. Regional United Party (PPD)
24. Pioneers' Party