Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Susilo-Kalla the only pair to complete registration

Susilo-Kalla the only pair to complete registration

M. Taufiqurrahman, Jakarta

Only one of the six pairings of presidential and vice presidential candidates has submitted to the General Elections Commissions (KPU) all documents required to contest the July 5 election.

The KPU announced on Friday that only the pairing of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Jusuf Kalla had handed over complete documents to the commission.

The other five lacked a number of required documents, ranging from tax-arrears and debt-free letters, recommendations from the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) and letters of good conduct, to colored photographs.

The pairings -- Megawati Soekarnoputri-Hasyim Muzadi, Wiranto- Solahuddin Wahid, Amien Rais-Siswono Yudohusodo, Hamzah Haz-Agum Gumelar and Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid-Marwah Daud Ibrahim -- have one week to complete their documents.

Susilo and Kalla are nominated by the Democratic Party, Megawati and Hasyim by the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), Wiranto and Solahuddin by Golkar Party, Amien and Siswono by the National Mandate Party (PAN), Hamzah and Agum by the United Development Party (PPP) and Gus Dur and Marwah by the National Awakening Party (PKB).

KPU member Anas Urbaningrum said the Susilo-Kalla pairing could soon be declared fit to contest the presidential election.

"However, the official result will be made public on May 22," he said.

Anas declined to give more information on the results of health examinations of the candidates.

"The results from a team of doctors from the Gatot Subroto Army hospital have been given to the political parties concerned, it is up to the parties to make an announcement," Anas said.

Alwi Shihab, the leader of the PKB, who has nominated visually impaired cleric Gus Dur as the party's presidential candidate, declined to announce the result of Gus Dur's medical examination.

"We still have to hold a meeting tonight to discuss the result, maybe tomorrow we will talk to the press about it," he said.

Gus Dur -- who was removed from the presidential post in June 2001 for incompetence -- had boasted that millions of his supporters would choose abstention should the KPU disqualify him.

Excluding the health examination result, according to the KPU, Gus Dur fell short of submitting six documents, including a "tax-arrears-free" letter, copies of his diploma, and a letter from the KPK.

Gus Dur's running mate Marwah Daud also seems to lack the necessary documents. She still has to submit a total of 11 documents, including a letter of citizenship, voter's card, solvency letter, and "tax-arrears-free" letter.

Wiranto is yet to produce a letter of good conduct, "tax-arrears-free" letter and colored photographs.

All candidates have until May 21 to submit the documents. The commission will announce eligible candidates on May 22.

Also on Friday, the KPU decided that the logistics procurement for the presidential election would be handled by KPU members and not by the secretary-general's office.

"Some (KPU) members still insist on taking care of the procurement of logistics. We will not go through tenders, but directly appoint contractors to save time," KPU deputy chairman Ramlan Surbakti said.

Over 150 million voters are expected to cast their votes in the July 5 polls, with a likely runoff scheduled for Sept. 20.

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