Presidential hopefuls to draw election numbers

All three presidential election candidates pairs have arrived at the General Elections Commission (KPU) office in Jakarta to participate in a draw to determine each candidates' respective number codes for the July election.

The first pair to arrive at the KPU on Saturday morning represented the Democratic Party (PD); incumbent President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and his running mate, former Bank Indonesia governor Boediono.

The Golkar party's Jusuf Kalla and his running mate Wiranto, of the People's Conscience Party (Hanura), arrived five minutes later.

Both camps shook hands in respect despite the recent war of words in media.

The presidential candidate from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) Megawati Sukarnoputri and her running mate Prabowo Subianto of the Great Indonesian Movement (Gerindra) were the last to arrive for the draw.

Upon her arrival, Megawati quickly embraced Kalla and turned her back on her bitter rival, SBY. Several weeks ago, Megawati and Kalla had signed a contract to form a jumbo coalition in the legislative body for the next administration.

After embracing Kalla, Megawati then gave a small handshake to SBY. Her running mate, Prabowo, who was a former military general, then gave a military-style salute to SBY's running mate, Boediono.(hdt)