Due to the decision, the KPU would reorganize the stages of the election processes, but the election would be held as per schedule on December 9, 2015.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The General Elections Commission (KPU) decided here on Thursday to follow up on the Election Supervisory Boards recommendation to extend the registration period for candidates in seven regions facing a shortage of tickets.

Due to the decision, the KPU would reorganize the stages of the election processes, but the election would be held as per schedule on December 9, 2015.

The decision includes disseminating information regarding the decision for three days on August 6-8 and reopening of registration on August 9-11.

The campaigning phase would possibly be changed from the initial period set between August 27 and December 5 while other activities would likely be accelerated such as the process of procuring goods and services.

"We hope that the Election Supervisory Board would optimally manage the settlement of disputes, so that it does not extend beyond the schedule," KPU Chief Husni Kamil Manik stated.

He noted that the Commission will earnestly implement KPU Regulation Number 12 of 2015 if the single ticket issue still exists in the concerned regions following the completion of the third round of registration.

"If the issue of single ticket still exists, we will continue to implement KPU Regulation Number 12 on postponing the implementation of the elections in the concerned regions to 2017. No initiative would be taken from our end to change it except if a Perppu (government regulation in lieu of law) is issued," he affirmed.

With regard to changing the stages, programs, and schedules related to the implementation of the regional elections, the KPU will coordinate with the election supervisory committees at the district or city levels. The central office of the KPU will also familiarize its decision to the seven regions/cities and the public, he remarked.

"We would also assign provincial KPUs to supervise it," he added.

The KPU has announced that seven regions have less than two tickets to contest for the simultaneous regional head elections (Pilkada) scheduled on December 9, 2015.

The seven regions were Tasikmalaya in West Java; Surabaya, Blitar, and Pacitan in East Java; Mataram in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB); Samarinda in East Kalimantan; and North Timor Tengah in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), KPU Chairman Manik noted here, Monday evening.

Despite implementing a second round of the registration period on August 1-3, 2015, they were yet unable to meet the ticket requirement to participate in the elections.

With the KPUs decision on Thursday, an opportunity has reopened for the regions to meet the requirement to be able to participate in the first Pilkada.

The first round of the registration period for the regional head candidates took place in 269 regions across Indonesia on July 26-28, 2015.

The Indonesian government is scheduled to hold Pilkada to elect governors in nine provinces, district heads in 224 districts, and mayors in 36 cities.

Indonesia has 34 provinces, 420 districts, and 94 cities. A province is headed by a governor, a district by a district head, and a city by a mayor, according to data published in early 2014.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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