Seven independents register for NTB race

Fri, 04/11/2008 12:32 PM | The Archipelago

MATARAM: Some 24 politicians, including seven independents, have registered with the West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) provincial chapter of the General Elections Commission (KPUD) to contest the gubernatorial election.

The seven independents are incumbent vice governor Bonyo Thamrin Rayes, former governor Harun Al Rasyid, chairman of the NTB Nurse Association Awan Darmawan, Batam authority head Mukhlis Tolomundu, legislator Lalu Mesir Suryadi, retired police officer Lalu Ahmad Mazhar and academic Syukur Nur Alam.

KPUD chairman Lalu Mahsan said all governor hopefuls would be screened to verify they met administrative and legal requirements.

He said his side was still waiting for a government regulation on independent candidates mandated by the newly endorsed 2004 regional administration law.

Incumbent Governor Lalu Serinata and Husni Djibril registered themselves with political support from a coalition of the Golkar Party, Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), Reformed Star Party (PBR) and Pancasila Patriot Party, while Tuan Guru Bajang Zainuddin and Nurdin Ranggabarani were nominated by the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) and Crescent Star Party (PBB). --JP