Presidential election bill pursued

Presidential election bill pursued

JAKARTA: The government insisted on Friday on submitting a
separate bill on presidential elections to the House, arguing
that inserting the issue into the electoral bill currently being
deliberated by legislators would slow down the passage of the
political reform bills.

Minister of Home Affairs Hari Sabarno said that general
elections and presidential elections were too different issues,
and "inserting the presidential election material into the
electoral bill currently being debated would only serve to
distract legislators."

"The proposal to insert material on presidential elections
into the electoral bill is based on the consideration that the
bill will be deliberated more effectively as the House has
already set up a special commission.

"But if they agree to insert it, the deliberation of the bill
will be delayed as the House will have to return the draft to us
(the government) for revisions," Hari said.

Hari, nevertheless, said the government would leave the
decision to House leaders.

Legislators sitting on the House special commission differ on
the question of presidential elections. Some legislators are
insisting that the material on presidential elections be
incorporated in the electoral bill that the government has
submitted. --JP