Kupang still tense as critics demand verification repeat

Yemris Fointuna ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Kupang   |  Sat, 05/10/2008 10:34 AM  |  Headlines

The political situation remained tense in the East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) capital of Kupang on Friday, with protesters demanding a repeat verification process for candidates in the upcoming gubernatorial race.

Hundreds protested in support of the pairs Benny Harman -Alfred Kasse and Alfons Loemau - Frans Salesman who were disqualified from the race after not passing the verification conducted by the provincial chapter of the General Election Commission (KPUD).

The KPUD declined to say why the two pairs were disqualified after both had reportedly met all legal and administrative requirements.

The Benny - Alfred pair was nominated by a coalition of six small parties, including the National Awakening Party (PKB) and the United Development Party (PPP), which make up 15 percent of the provincial and regency legislatures.

The PKB central board withdrew its support for the Benny-Alfred pair during the second verification process, nominating Gaspar Parang Ehok and his running mate Yulius Bobo (Gaul).

The KPUD remained resolute in its decision to verify three candidate pairs, saying disagreeing parties could take up legal action at the Supreme Court.

"The KPUD's decision is final and binding, unless the KPUD is proven wrong by the court," said provincial KPUD head Robinson Ratukore in Kupang on Friday.

Ratukore said the KPUD had conducted a fully legal verification process. "For those who feel their interests have not been fulfilled, please challenge through legal means. The KPUD will never change its decision."

The KPUD officially announced May 5 that three of the five gubernatorial candidate pairs had passed verifications and qualified to run in the election.

The approved candidates are Agustinus Medah and his running mate Paulus Moa, Frans Leburaya and Esthon Foennay and the Gaul pair. The Agustinus-Paulus pair was nominated by the Golkar Party, the Frans - Esthon pair by the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) and the Gaul pair by a coalition of parties including the PKB, the Pioneers Party and the Justice and Unity Party.

Ratukore said the accusation that KPUD had breached election guidelines had to be proven.

Separately, NTT Police chief Brig. Gen. Robertus Sadarum said police had guaranteed full safety to Ratukore and his staffers.

"The police will secure the KPUD office 24 hours a day and provide special security to KPUD personnel," he said, adding the police would mobilize 10,000 personnel during the election, assisted by the military and public.

Political observer Chris Boro Tokan said Friday the KPUD's verification decision was marred with problems that had forced the office to reschedule the election for May 14.

"Election mechanisms, such as a supervisory committee, have not yet been formed in regencies and cities across the province. The best option is to repeat the verification process in order to address the prevailing issues," said Tokan.

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