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E. Kalimantan to hold second round of voting
Nurni Sulaiman and Hyginus Hardoyo , The Jakarta Post , Samarinda, Jakarta | Wed, 06/11/2008 10:37 AM | The Archipelago
The East Kalimantan General Elections Commission (KPUD) announced Tuesday it would hold a second round of voting in the gubernatorial election, as required under election rules when no candidate gains sufficient votes.
The announcement on the second round of voting was made following a vote recount at Senyiur Hotel in Samarinda.
"In line with regional administration election rules, a second round of voting has to be carried out between the two pairs of candidates with the highest votes if none of the candidates in the first round manages to get more than 30 percent," said KPUD chairman Jaffar Haruna.
According to the commission, Awang Faroek Ishak and Farid Wadjdy, backed by a coalition of 14 parties including the National Mandate Party (PAN) and United Development Party (PPP), were in the lead with 426,325 votes or 28.90 percent the total votes cast.
Achmad Amins and Hadi Mulyadi came second, supported by a coalition of six parties, including the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), with 396,229 votes or 26.90 percent.
Golkar Party candidates Jusuf Serang Kasim and Luther Kombong came third with 371,229 votes or 25.16 percent, while the pair of Nusyirwan Ismail and Heru Bambang, backed by the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), came last with 280,949 votes or 19.04 percent.
"In the second round the only candidates will be Awang and Farid, and Achmad and Hadi," Jaffar said.
Out of 2.25 million eligible voters in East Kalimantan, only 1.52 million voted in the May 26 election. Of the total votes cast, 1.47 million were declared valid by the KPUD and 42,876 were invalid.
"The second round is scheduled to be held early in September this year, after the completion of the National Games being hosted by the provincial administration," Jaffar said.
Elvyani NH Gaffar, head of the KPUD vote counting and committee, said this would be the first time in Indonesia a second round of voting had been held.
"We'll give the candidates the chance to file legal protests or complaints between June 11 and 13. This step is expected to be completed by July 1. Starting July 2 we should be in position for the second round," she said.
Tuesday's announcement by the KPUD was attended by the pair of Awang and Farid. Neither Jusuf nor Luther was present.
Despite being in the lead, neither Awang and Farid were satisfied with the outcome.
"The election law should have been understood on the basis of the winner gaining anything above 25 percent," Awang said.
"I will bring the case to the Constitutional Court," he said.
Thousands of Awang supporters staged a rally blocking the road in front of the Senyiur Hotel and the local legislative council building.
A similar protest was organized by representatives of the Dayak indigenous tribe. Martinus Usad, coordinator of the Dayak protesters, said he was disappointed by the outcome of the election as no independent Dayak candidates took part.
Nusyirwan of PDI-P did not comment on the election results. He said the party agreed with the KPUD's decision.
"Basically we agree with the decision by the KPUD, it looks fair. Concerning the 19 percent of votes gained by the PDI-P, we were surprised by the result. But anyway, it's a good experience for us," Nusyirwan said.
KPUD's decision to hold the second round of voting got support Tuesday from the Center for Election Reform (Cetro).
