Regional elections heat up

Protesters took to the streets in Kupang on Monday, demanding the East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) General Elections Commission (KPU) be dissolved for its failure in addressing disputed elections in East Flores.

The protesters, claiming to come from a pro-democratic forum for justice, condemned the provincial KPU for taking sides in the dispute.

One protester, Bachtiar Lawawuran, a former member of East Flores legislative council, said the provincial KPU had intervened in the East Flores elections, resulting in the postponement of elections across the regency.

"Both the provincial and central KPU have damaged democracy in East Flores. The East Flores elections will only run smoothly if the NTT KPU is dissolved," he said.

The election was initially scheduled for June 3 but was later postponed due to a dispute following a letter from the central to the East Flores KPU to reinstate the pair Simos Hayon-Frans Diaz Alfi, which previously disqualified, to run in the regency election.

Separately spokesperson of the NTT KPU, Djidon de Haan, said his office would maintain its commitment to continue the election process in East Flores. The first step, he said, was to set up an team to investigate alleged ethical violations by the East Flores KPU relating to the disqualification of Simon-Frans.

"Once the council issues its recommendation, we can take the next step, which would be either replacing the chairperson and members of the East Flores KPU or taking over the election process," he said.

Responding to the protesters' demand of liquidating the provincial KPU, Djidon said it is unlikely since the election body is an official state institution.

Separately, hundreds of residents of Tolitoli, Central Sulawesi, who occupied the regency's KPUD office on May 28, dispersed Monday after local KPU officials stated they would allow Aziz Bestari to contest the June 2 regency elections.

The protesters insisted candidate Aziz Bestari be allowed to run in the elections despite his running mate passing away on May 25.

The decision, however, shocked several people since that based on the 2004 regional autonomy law, Aziz would automatically be disqualified from running.

The law stipulates that if one or a pair of candidates is absent from the start of the campaign period to the voting day, and there are still two other pairs of candidates, the elections would continue but the absent candidate could not be replaced and disqualified.

"KPUD should follow the law. It's likely the KPUD misinterpret the law," legal expert Naharuddin Gani of the Tadulako University told The Jakarta Post on Monday.

Member of Central Sulawesi KPUD, Yahdi Basma, said the commission has no right to determine whether Aziz should be disqualified after the death of his running mate.

"Its the authority of the central KPU. We rely on their decision," he said by phone.

Central Sulawesi will host three regency elections on June 2 at Tolitoli, Poso and Tojo Una-Una.