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overnor Fauzi Bowo says that independent gubernatorial candidates will have a hard time in the 2012 election without the support of political parties.

“Not one of the independent candidates can make it in the election without support from political parties, especially those [parties] that have representatives on the city council,” Fauzi said on Saturday.

The Governor said that leading Jakarta was a complex task that required public officials to strike a deals with political parties to meet their objectives.

“How can you govern without support from the City Council? Do you expect a governor to endorse his own bylaws? Draft his own budget? Independent candidates should understand this,” he said.

Observers have said that independent candidates might change the dynamics of the upcoming gubernatorial election if they could raise enough money.

So far only Faisal Basri, the Univesity of Indonesia economist, has announced plans to run as an independent candidate in 2012.

However, the odds are stacked against independent candidates even before they register.

Independent candidates must gather signatures and copies of the ID cards of 4 percent of Jakarta’s citizens, or about 400,000 people.

The campaign team of Faisal and his running mate, Biem Benyamin, have so far reportedly collected 60,000 signatures and copies of ID cards.

Faisal’s campaign is looking for credible donors given the vast sums needed to run a campaign in the nation’s capital.

Another politician thought to be considering an independent bid is former Indonesian Military Police chief Maj. Gen. (ret) Hendardji Soepandji.

Hendardji previously said that he would run as independent candidate and would look for candidates from political parties to serve as his deputy.

Almost every major political party in the capital has nominated their candidates for the election, which is slated for July.

The Golkar Party has endorsed Jakarta branch chairman Prya Ramadhani to run in 2011, saying, however, that the party was not seeking the governor’s post.

Meanwhile, the Democratic Party, which holds 32 of 94 seats on the city council, has said it would back party branch chairman Nachrowi Ramli.

The Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), which has 18 council seats, said it would nominate council member Triwisaksana.

The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) started a registration program last week for potential gubernatorial candidates who want PDI-P backing in 2012.

Fauzi, a member of the Democratic Party central board and the most recognizable candidate in 2012, has yet to announce if he would seek re-election or which political party he would use as political vehicle.

Other aspirants in the poll include former Presidential Security Force chief Marine Lt. Gen. Nono Sampono, who was reported to have lobbied the PDI-P central board to support his candidacy.