KPU urges presidential candidates to register before deadline

The General Elections Commission said it would not tolerate registrations of presidential candidates past the deadline at midnight on May 16.

"The registration will remain open until midnight. There will not be any leeway for candidates attempting to register after the deadline," KPU chairman Abdul Hafidz Anshary said Friday.

Only one pair of candidates, Jusuf Kalla and Wiranto, has announced their candidacy for the upcoming election so far.

Incumbent President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is set to announce his candidacy, pairing with Budiono, later tonight in Bandung, West Java. The Megawati-Prabowo pair is also said to announce their candidacy today.

The KPU was ready to have its hands full to cater for the registration of candidates, Abdul said.

"Once the administrative process is complete, the candidates will undergo medical check-ups at Gatot Subroto army hospital from May 16 to May 17," he said.

Earlier, the commission had stated it would establish a team to simultaneously verify the candidates registration requirements. (fmb)