Article 325 of the 2008 Law on Regional Administration regulates that a regional election is held 90 days prior to the end of the respective head's office term. Bengkulu plans to hold its elections on July 3 or 104 days before the end of the current governor's office term.

"We hope the Constitutional Court will approve a judicial review *of the law* so we can save money," Bengkulu Governor Agusrin M. Najamudin told Antara on Saturday.

Chairman of the Bengkulu provincial General Elections Commission (KPUD), Dunan Herawan, said his office would propose a judicial review on the law's article. In the meantime, he said, the election's proceeding would continue as scheduled with the governor-vice governor candidates to be officially named on May 4.

"If the judicial review is rejected then we will hold the governors' election in August and the other six regental elections on July 3," he said. The six regencies to have regent-vice regent elections in July are Muko Muko, Seluma, Kaur, Rejang Lebong, Lebong and Kepahiang.

Dunan hoped that in making its decision, the Constitutional Court would consider the large amount of money the province could save by holding seven direct elections on the same day. He said if the gubernatorial election was held in August, the provincial administration would need to allocate an additional Rp 50 billion.

Holding the seven elections separately in July and August would make it difficult for the elections committee in the six regencies to perform at optimum level since they also are preparing for the August gubernatorial election, he added.

"This is one reason we have proposed to hold the elections on the same day," he said, adding that his office had coordinated with the national General Elections Committee (KPU) on the matter.

Provincial legislative council member Junaidi Albab supported KPUD for coordinating with the KPU to develop a solution.

"If the judicial review is not approved, the governor election must be postponed," Junaidi said.

Separately in Medan, North Sumatra, nine of 10 pairs of candidates running for the city's May 12 elections marked Sunday the first day of the campaign, which will run until May 8, by signing a peace declaration.

They are also scheduled to present their missions at the Medan legislative council's plenary session Monday.

"There will be only one winner," said head of Medan General Elections Commission Novida Ginting.

Medan mayor candidate Maulana Pohan said he was ready for the election results. He contested the elections five years ago but lost.

"I may have lost one, but this time I think I'll win," he said.

Popular

BI surprises with third consecutive rate cut as Fed move looms

Explainer: Social media as town square, battleground in Indonesia’s protests

Taiwan raises alert over cancer-causing chemical in Indomie