Six pairs to contest July election
Six pairs to contest July election
M. Taufiqurrahman, Jakarta
As the deadline for candidates to register with the General
Elections Commission (KPU) expired on Wednesday, six pairs of
running mates had confirmed their entry into the presidential
race.
The incumbent President Megawati Soekarnoputri, her new deputy
Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) leader Hasyim Muzadi; and the pairing of
Vice President Hamzah Haz and communications minister Agum
Gumelar were the last to submit their credentials to the
commision on Wednesday.
Of all the presidential and vice presidential candidates, five
have links to the largest Muslim organization NU: Abdurrahman
"Gus Dur" Wahid, Solahuddin Wahid, Hasyim, Hamzah and Jusuf
Kalla, while three are retired military generals: Susilo Bambang
Yudhoyono, Wiranto and Agum.
National Mandate Party (PAN) presidential candidate Amien Rais
has been endorsed by the second largest Muslim organization,
Muhammadiyah. Amien picked former minister Siswono Yudohusodo as
his running mate, hoping to woo support from the nationalist
camp.
Like Kalla, the running mate of Gus Dur, Marwah Daud Ibrahim,
is a member of the Golkar Party, the only female contender for
vice president.
The duo of Susilo and Kalla, nominated by the Democratic Party
and supported by the Crescent Star Party and the Indonesian
Justice and Unity Party pledged to bring about peace, justice,
democracy and prosperity.
During the announcement of his candidacy, Susilo also vowed to
withdraw the Indonesian Military (TNI) and the police from
politics and develop them into professional institutions.
A number of polls have tipped Susilo-Kalla pairing as the red-
hot favorites in the first direct presidential election scheduled
for July 5.
The dark-horse pair of Amien and Siswono, supported by PAN and
several small parties that failed to meet the electoral
threshold, have highlighted the fight against corruption,
collusion and nepotism in campaign.
Wiranto and Solahuddin, meanwhile, promised a strong
administration that would bring peace and prosperity to the
country.
Both also made a commitment to further basic human rights,
shrugging off allegations Wiranto has been involved in rights
abuses in the past.
Unlike the other pairs, the duo of Gus Dur and Marwah have the
most difficult task. To be allowed to compete they must either
pass KPU health screening requirements that require candidates to
be healthy and in sound mind, or have these requirements ruled
unconstitutional. Gus Dur has impaired eyesight and is nearly
blind.
KPU member Anas Urbaningrum said while the commision did not
expect other candidates to turn up to register, the office would
not close until after midnight.
The commision is expected to complete the verification of the
candidates' credentials by May 22 and publicly announce the
eligible candidates on the same day. The draw will be conducted
the following day.
The KPU will disclose the preliminary results of the
verification on May 14 and give candidates another week to
complete all the required documents.
Although the registration closed on Wednesday, some of the
candidates have not yet undergone the required medical
examination at Gatot Subroto Army hospital. They have until May
13 to take the exam.
Over 150 million voters are expected to cast their votes in
the presidential election on July 5, with the likely run-off on
Sept. 20.