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.