Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama's previously said he was concerned about rogue officials attempting to stymie his planned independent bid. However, the KPUD  guaranteed equal treatment of all candidates, according to KPUD Central Jakarta Office official Wahyudinata.

"Don't get the wrong idea about the KPUD. We will ensure all candidates are able to stand," Wahyudinata told journalists at a discussion in Jakarta on Thursday.

For example, he said, the KPUD would not directly eliminate independent candidates whose submitted applications did not fulfill administrative requirements, but would instead ask them to resubmit the completed applications. 

The KPUD was also prepared to meet supporters of independent candidates to discuss the requirement them to repeat their work of collecting copies of citizens' identity cards, he added.

He was referring to Teman Ahok (Friends of Ahok),  a volunteer group that had collected enough ID-backed signatures of Jakarta residents to legitimize an independent candidacy by Ahok,  but may have to repeat the task now that Ahok has chosen a running mate, in accordance with the Regional Election Law.

"Independent candidates need to ensure that all of supposed supporters really do support them," Wahyudinata said, adding that the KPUD would thoroughly verify all IDs collected, not just by sample, but by visiting supporters' homes.

Meanwhile,  Bung Karno University School of Law provost Daniel Panda said Ahok and his team needed to collect as many IDs as possible, and not stop at the minimum requirement. That way, Ahok  independent candidacy would be secured against claims of illegitimacy from rivals.

As of Thursday, Teman Ahok had collected  784,977 IDs; Ahok has set a target of 1 million. (rin)

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