Govt`s response to independent candidates` issue to be discussed with hous

The government`s response to the Constitutional Court (MK)`s decision to allow independent candidates to participate in regional elections will be discussed in a consultative meeting between the government and the House of Representatives (DPR), a cabinet minister said.

"The consultative meeting with the DPR which is also to be attended by members of the General Elections Commission (KPU) will be conducted after August 17," Minister/State Secretary Hatta Rajasa said here on Friday.

Hatta noted the MK had indicated at least three alternative ways in which participation of independent candidates in regional elections could be legally provided for.

The three alternative ways were through a government regulation in lieu of law (Perpu), revising Law No 32/2004 on regional administration and Law No 22/2007 on general elections.

"These alternatives will be discussed further in the consultative meeting," Hatta said.

Asked which of the three alternative ways the government would choose, Hatta said it had yet to be decided.

But he said implementing the MK`s decision through a government regulation in lieu of law would pose a problem as such a regulation could normally be issued only when there was an urgent need. There was no urgency in the independent candidates` issue.

The minister said the government`s response to the MK`s ruling needed to be discussed with the House and KPU because the matter was not the responsibility of the government only but of the two other bodies as well.

Asked if there was a time limit to make a decision on the three alternatives, Hatta said it had yet to be decided because it was not merely the responsibility of the government alone but of all parties including the DPR and KPU.

"It cannot be decided by the government alone but also by the DPR and KPU," Hatta said, adding that it could not be implemented in a short time but in stages. (*)