President Asks Miister to Prepare Election Recap Regulation

Jakarta (Antara) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has asked Home Affairs Minister Gamawan Fauzi to prepare a draft government regulation (Perpu) in lieu of law to extend the recapitulation period of the legislative elections results. "The minister was ordered by the president to actively monitor and facilitate the implementation of the general elections, and prepare a draft Perpu in case it is needed," Home Affairs Ministry Spokesman Didik Suprayitno said. He stated that the minister has also ordered the Director General for National Unity and Political Affairs Tanaribali Lamo to prepare the draft in case the General Elections Committee (KPU) needed it. Up to Wednesday night, the KPU has not yet submitted a request for a Perpu to extend the period of recapitulation. The KPU has organized a legislative election last April 9 and will hold a presidential election next July 9. The Home Affairs Ministry, however, will not issue a Perpu without a request from the KPU. The recapitulation of the April 9 legislative election results was still in progress up to Wednesday night. Based on the law, the KPU should have completed recapitulation 30 days at the latest after the election was held. This means that the KPU has only one day left until Friday (May 9) to complete the national recapitulation. But up to early on Thursday, the KPU has not yet endorsed the legislative elections results of 14 provinces. In the meantime, the KPU is determined to finish the recapitulation on time. (*)