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Jakarta, Yogyakarta, Aceh and Papua to continue to hold direct regional elections
A legal expert has pointed out the administrative regions of Jakarta, Yogyakarta, Aceh and Papua could still hold direct elections for their leaders as they have their own bylaws on electing their leaders
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legal expert has pointed out the administrative regions of Jakarta, Yogyakarta, Aceh and Papua could still hold direct elections for their leaders as they have their own bylaws on electing their leaders.
University of Indonesia constitutional law expert Refly Harun explained that the amendment to the 2004 Regional Elections Law on Friday would not affect these provinces as they had their own specific bylaws in terms of choosing governors and local leaders.
'Unless the amendment specifically says that special provinces are not exempt from the ruling, there will still be direct elections in these provinces because they have their own bylaws,' Refly said on Friday as quoted by tempo.co.
He added that the public had to monitor the amended law, citing concerns that there could be further modifications to it.
Jakarta Governor and president-elect Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo confirmed that Jakarta was one of four provinces that would be exempt from the Regional Elections Law once the amendment went through, citing a 2007 Jakarta bylaw stating that Jakarta must be led by a governor and deputy governor who are chosen directly by the people.
Similarly, an Acehnese bylaw also states that governors and mayors of the region are elected through the democratic will of the people.
Aceh gained special autonomy status in 2005 as a condition to ending civil unrest in the region. (dyl/nfo)(++++)
