Govt Suggests Regional Candidates Qualifications not to Change
Minister of Home Affairs Tjahjo Kumolo, accompanied by Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, and Minister of Law and Human Rights Yasona M. Laoly, delivers the results of a limited meeting to the reporters on Monday (30/5), at the Presidential Office, Jakarta
President Joko Jokowi Widodo instructed the Government to keep the good points in the Law Number 1 of 2015 on the Regional Elections for Governor, Mayor, and Regent, including the current minimum percentage of public support needed by a political party and an independent candidate to propose themselves.
It is because the implementation of the Law was well-executed in the 2015 Regional Elections, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung stated.
The elected candidates were inaugurated, not including those who still wait for the decision of Constitutional Court relating regional election disputes.
The Government’s stance is still based on the Law, Pramono told the reporters after a limited meeting on Monday (30/5), at the Presidential Office, Jakarta.
According to the Law, political parties or coalitions of political parties must secure at least 20 percent of seats in Provincial Legislative Council (DPRD) or a minimum of 25 percent of the vote in regional legislative elections to nominate a candidate, while an independent candidate must obtain 3 to 6.5 percent of total regional votes.
Meanwhile, Minister of Home Affairs Tjahjo Kumolo also shares the same view with the directive of President Jokowi that the good points in the implementation of 2015 regional elections should not be changed.
By sticking to the prevailing Law, independent candidates will not be burdened by the provisions, Tjahjo said.
The other good point that needs to be kept in the Law is the provision saying that Indonesian National Defence Forces (TNI) Personnels, National Police (Polri) Personnels, civil servants, and the members of Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR) as well as Regional Representatives Council (DPD) should resign (if he/she becomes a candidate). It is based on the provisions of the Law and the decision of Constitutional Court.
Therefore, the Government’s stance was accented with the results of our consultation. We also have delivered the aspirations of all fractions that the Government does not want to contradict the decision of Constitutional Court. It is the deal, Tjahjo added.
Tjahjo hopes that views of fractions and the Government will conform to the results of the consultation. Thus, it will be discussed and decided in a plenary meeting to be held on 1 to 2 June 2016.
Meanwhile, Minister of Law and Human Rights Yasona M. Laoly will explain about political parties that involved in the regional election disputes. (RHD/FID/JAY) (RAS/EP/YM/Naster)
