First step: Economist and Democratic Party deputy secretary-general Ikhsan Modjo (left) and businesswoman and Gerindra Party member Li Claudia Chandra (right) deliver their greetings as the running mates arrive at the General Elections Commission (KPU) South Tangerang chapter in Serpong, South Tangerang, Banten, on Monday
span class="inline inline-center">
The regional election in Depok in West Java and South Tangerang in Banten has kicked off as five mayoral hopefuls have filed their nomination papers to the Regional General Election Commissions (KPUD) on the last day on Tuesday.
Depok KPUD chairwoman Titik Nurhayati said on Tuesday that the city had only two future candidates for the regional election, which is slated to be held nationwide on Dec. 9.
'The first pair is Idris Abdul Somad and Pradi Supriatna,' she said.
She said Idris, the former Deputy Mayor, and Pradi, the Depok Gerindra Party's branch executive board chairman, were endorsed by a coalition of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) and Gerindra.
Another pair of candidates are Dimas Oki Nugroho and his running mate Babai Suhaimi, who are backed by the Indonesia Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), the NasDem Party, the National Mandate Party (PAN), and the National Awakening Party (PKB). Dimas is a political analyst of Jakarta-based Akar Rumput Strategic Consulting (ARSC), while Babai is the regional executive board chairman of the Depok branch of the Golkar Party.
Titik said the future candidates would be briefed by the commission on Tuesday evening.
'They will undergo medical examination on Wednesday at 6:30 a.m. in the Gatot Subroto Army Hospital (RSPAD),' she said.
According to Titik, the commission will officiate the candidates on Aug. 24. The campaign period will kick off from Aug. 27 to Dec. 5.
Meanwhile, South Tangerang KPUD chairman Mohamad Subhan said the commission received the registration of three pairs of candidates for South Tangerang mayor and deputy mayor.
Subhan said the three pairs had fulfilled the requirements and they would undergo medical check-ups from Tuesday to Thursday. The pairs comprised incumbent Mayor Airin Rachmi Diany and Deputy Mayor Benyamin Davnie, the Democratic Party's (PD) central executive board chairman Ikhsan Modjo and businesswoman Li Claudia 'Alin' Chandra as well as PD politician Arsid and the Hanura Party politician Elvier Ariadiannie Soedarto Poetri.
Candidate pair Airin and Benyamin are endorsed by a coalition of the Golkar Party, PKS, PKB, the NasDem Party, PAN and the United Development Party (PPP). Ikhsan and running mate Li Claudia are backed by Demokrat and the Gerindra, while Arsid and Elvier are supported by PDIP-P and the Hanura.
'Airin and Benyamin have conducted their medical check-ups on Tuesday in South Tangerang Regional Hospital. Ikhsan and Alin are scheduled to be checked on Wednesday,' he said, as quoted by kompas.com.
He that Arsid and Elvier, the last candidates who put their names one hour before the closing hour of the registration, would have a medical check-ups on Thursday.
Arsid was previously paired with Intan Nurul Hikmah, the sister of Tangerang Regent Ahmed Zaki Iskandar. However, Intan reportedly has resigned due to personal reasons and was replaced by Elvier, who is also the director of Buah Hati Maternity Hospital in Ciputat.
Share your experiences, suggestions, and any issues you've encountered on The Jakarta Post. We're here to listen.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your feedback.