Students to quiz political parties

DEPOK: The University of Indonesia Student Executive Body (BEM UI) will invite 24 political parties to a series of discussions to find out their vision, mission and program to solve the existing problems faced by the country.

The events will take place at UI campus, Depok, on March 10, March 13, March 17 and March 20, starting at 9 a.m. Each session will feature six parties.

BEM UI chairman Ahmad Nur Hidayat said on Monday that the students were welcome to participate in polling to determine the two best parties at each session. The best parties' presidential candidates will be invited to speak in a debate on April 24.

"We hope that through these events, the public can judge which political parties have a strong commitment to them," he said.

The legislative election will take place on April 5. The month-long campaign period will kick off on Thursday. -- JP