People urged to watch nomination

JAKARTA: The Indonesian Women's Movement for Politics urged the public on Wednesday to mount pressure on political parties to allow women to make up 30 percent of their legislative candidates for the 2004 elections.

Francisia Seda of the Center for Electoral Reform (CETRO) suggested that pressure be applied during the candidate selection period between November and December.

"That will be a crucial period and we will increase pressure on political parties," she said after a meeting at the office of the National Mandate Party (PAN) here.

Also present at the meeting were, among others, women activists Debra Yatim, Yeni Rosa Damayanti and Titi Sumbung.

Meanwhile, PAN executive Dewi Coryati said party members who intended to contest the elections would be required to win support from the party's regental offices in the provinces they represent.

To win the support, the candidates will have to promote the party's platform, Dewi said. - JP