Govt Fears Issuance of Elections Regulation

VIVAnews - The government has yet to issue a Governmental Regulation in Lieu of Law (Perpu) on Elections because it is feared that the House of Representatives (DPR) will reject it. Therefore, the government and the Elections Commission planned to meet with House members on Wednesday, Feb. 4.

"I will consult [with DPR] tomorrow because the government does not want to issue a Perpu that will be summarily dismissed," said Domestic Affairs Minister Mardiyanto on Tuesday, Feb 3.

A working meeting between the government and DPR Commission II will discuss several issues on the Elections such as special polling stations, inaugurations and dismissals of legislative members, ballot marking, and the various technical rules that must be specified as a result of the Constitutional Court's decision on majority votes.

The meeting will also discuss an affirmative action policy that has been at issue of late, i.e. the idea that for every three seats given to a male candidate, there should be one for a female candidate.

Mardiyanto stated that the Perpu lacks its urgency after the Elections Commission has set up coordination with the Constitutional Court. However, the government is prepared to issue a Perpu.

The suggestion on Perpu on Elections is brought forward after the Elections Commission met President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. The President then suggested issuing a Perpu to handle the ballot marking issue which according Law No. 10/2008 on Elections only one marking is allowed.

The government and Elections Commission agreed that a ballot marked more than once, as long as it is valid and obvious who is being voted for, should still be acceptable as it was in the 2004 Elections.

Translated by: Bonardo Maulana Wahono