Candidates register for E. Kalimantan polls

Nurni Sulaiman ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Samarinda   |  Tue, 03/04/2008 11:11 AM  |  The Archipelago

Four gubernatorial hopefuls and their running mates who are contesting the East Kalimantan direct governorship election have submitted application documents to the provincial General Elections Commission (KPUD). Monday was the deadline.

Golkar-backed Jusuf Serang Kasim and running mate Luther Kombong submitted the application Sunday, as did Nusyirwan Islamial and running mate Heru Bambang, who are running on the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) ticket.

Another pair -- Achmad Amins and Hadi Mulyadi who are backed by the Justice and Prosperity Party (PKS) and minority parties, including the National Awakening Party and Patriot Party -- also submitted the documents Sunday.

Awang Faroek and Farid Wadjdy, backed by the United Development Party, National Mandate Party, Democrat Party and a number of minor parties, sent in their application on Feb. 26.

Head of East Kalimantan's General Elections Commission (KPUD) Jafar Haruna confirmed the matter.

"Four pairs of candidate have completed the registration process and the KPUD will examine the applications on Tuesday. Those running in the gubernatorial election underwent an administrative evaluation from February 28 to March 5, in compliance with the electoral law," Jafar told The Jakarta Post.

Final verification will be done by the KPUD following the registration process, including cross-checks of candidates' educational records.

Jafar said candidates would be given a week to remedy any inaccuracies.

A group of people dissatisfied with the handling of the gubernatorial election rallied at the PDI-P, Golkar and KPUD offices on Feb. 29 to voice disappointment.

It appears from the KPUD calendar the May 26 gubernatorial election will coincide with regency elections in Penajam Paser Utara.

Two teams registered for the regency election on Monday: Golkar-backed Andi Harahap and running mate Mustaqim MZ, and Yusran Aspar and Susianto, who have Democrat, National Awakening, National Mandate and Crescent Star backing.

Two other candidate pairs, Ihwan Datu Adam and Nursyamsa Hadis, who are backed by PDI-P and the Patriot Party, and Abdul Mutalib and Imam Sujius, backed by the PKS, handed in their applications Sunday.

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