Poll delay ruling passed by House

JAKARTA: The House of Representatives endorsed on Thursday a government regulation in lieu of law that permits a delay of the April 5 presidential election in some regions.

Regulation No. 2/2004 was issued on April 2 to render lawful elections delayed due to late distribution of ballot papers.

The decision was reached in a House plenary session, at which 188 lawmakers voted for the endorsement, while 45 opposed it.

It was voted upon after a closed-door meeting between House faction leaders was unable to reach a consensus.

However, several faction spokespeople blamed the General Elections Commission (KPU) for its failure to hold the election according to schedule. -- JP