Regional KPU members to face screening soon
Regional KPU members to face screening soon
Arya Abhiseka and Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
All but one province has set up an independent committee to
screen members for the regional elections commissions (KPUDs),
General Elections Commission (KPU) deputy chairman Ramlan
Surbakti said on Thursday.
The independent teams are expected to submit ten names to KPU
as KPUD member candidates. The KPU will then conduct interviews
to elect five members for each KPUD.
Ramlan said the KPU would only be lenient with the conflict-
torn province of Aceh if it does not meet the deadline to
complete the establishment of an independent team to screen KPUD
member candidates.
"We all know of the conflict in Aceh. Taking that fact into
account, we'll allow more time for them to prepare for the
election there," Ramlan told The Jakarta Post Thursday.
Each KPUD will comprise five members, none of whom can be
members of any political party in a bid to ensure neutrality.
The KPU had planned to inaugurate the members of the
provincial KPUDs by May 23 and regental KPUDs by June 13.
The main duty for each will be to verify the presence of
political parties' regional chapters in order to determine their
eligibility for the 2004 general election.
According to the political party law, each party must have
chapters in 50 percent of provinces, regencies and municipalities
nationwide.
Ramlan also reiterated that the KPU favored separate elections
for legislative seats and the presidential post.
Holding presidential and legislative elections simultaneously
would create a great burden on the KPU.
"We will, however, accept whatever decision the lawmakers
make," Ramlan said before members of a House Special Committee
deliberating the presidential election bill.
Factions in the House are still divided on this issue. The
United Development faction (FPP), Reform, Crescent Star (FBB),
and Indonesian Nationhood (KKI) factions want a simultaneous
election.
Whereas Golkar, the National Awakening Party (PKB),
military/police and Daulatul Ummah Party (PDU) factions were
against simultaneous elections.
The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan)
is still undecided.
The ministry of home affairs, which will draft the
presidential election bill, expects that the election of
legislative members will be held earlier than the election of
president and vice president.
The bill allows only political parties or coalitions winning
at least 20 percent of House seats to nominate presidential
candidates.
During the hearing presided over by committee vice chairman
Ferry Mursyidan Baldan, KPU refused to discuss some hot issues
including the quota and proposition of debate for presidential
candidates. "This will adversely affect our independence," KPU
chairman Nazaruddin Syamsudin said.