West Java legislative council set gubernatorial election for this week
The Jakarta Post, Bandung, West Java
The West Java council agreed to hold the gubernatorial election on Wednesday this week at the earliest, or two days later than planned due to late government approval of the councillors proposed candidates.
Election committee deputy head Kurdi Moekri said the election could be held on Wednesday or Thursday.
He said the new election date followed a meeting with Minister of Home Affairs Hari Sabarno on Monday night.
"President Megawati (Soekarnoputri) through her Home Affairs Minister has stated her approval of the council's plenary meeting to vote for our governor," he said late Monday.
Councillors initially planned to hold the election on May 19, but delayed it after Hari ordered them to verify whether all candidates had met administrative requirements.
After ensuring all requirements were met, the councillors resubmitted the names of the two pairs of contestants in their meeting with the minister on Monday.
The first pair is Tayo Tarmadi and Rudy Harsa Tanaya who have been nominated by the factions of the National Awakening Party and the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-Perjuangan).
The second pair is Danny Setiawan and Nurman Abdul Hakim, nominated by the Golkar and the United Development Party factions.
Tayo and Rudy could not produce their senior high school diplomas, which they said they had misplaced. Danny needed a permit from the Bandung prosecutors' office as he is being investigated for his alleged involvement in a Rp 4.1 billion corruption case.
Gubernatorial elections in other provinces like in North Sumatra face similar delays over fears that councillors elect candidates who have not met the election requirements.
The tighter screening followed the controversy over the election of Lampung governor Alzier Dianis Thabranie who is facing graft charges.
President Megawati refused to approve his election, prompting protests from the Lampung provincial legislature.
With the implementation of regional autonomy in 2001, the elections of governors, regents and mayors rests with the local council.