Candidates for President Announced Before Legislative Election
Friday, 28 March, 2008 | 15:33 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: Some political experts from the National Institute of Sciences (LIPI) suggest that political parties announce candidates for president and vice president before the legislative election.

LIPI researcher Syamsudin Haris considers it a short time between the legislative and presidential election that does not give enough time for voters to learn about the candidates. “After the legislative election, people should have time to know the candidates,” said Syamsudin during the hearing with a special team for Presidential and Vice Presidential Election Regulation Drafting at parliament's office yesterday.

Another LIPI researcher, Dewi Fortuna Anwar, said the extra time will also increase voting for political parties in the legislative election. “If the political party nominates someone that people like, they can get many votes,” she said.

Sri Yanuarti from the Indonesian Political Science Association suggests for a presidential candidate to also announce a list of ministers’ candidates before the presidential election. This is to give more information to voters to select the candidates.

Experts also suggest an election regulation for a public debate for the candidates. Syamsudin said, penalizing the candidates could be for those who refuse a public debate.

Agus Hermanto, member of a special team for Presidential Election Drafting, responded positively to this suggestion. “Although it is not yet approved, a pair of candidates should be announced before the legislative election,” he said.

DWI RIYANTO AGUSTIAR