Democratic Party Hopes to Win 35 Percent in Regional Head Elections 2017

Surabaya, E Java (Antara) - The Democratic Party (PD) has set a target of winning 35 percent in simultaneous regional head elections (Pilkada) next year.

"In the simultaneous Pilkada 2017, the Democratic Party should win over 35 percent and the number of its cadres must be more than 35 percent," PD Chairman Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said in the opening of a consolidation meeting of the party here, Sunday.

The party's cadres that would become regional head candidates should have capability in managing regional administrations, he said.

Next week, the party will organize a week-long training course for some five thousand cadres.

The former president said that his party does not merely want to win, but it wants to make sure that its candidates are future leaders who know how to run regional governments administratively and politically.

In the 2015 Pilkada, the Democratic Party set a target of winning 30 percent, and the realization was 42 percent.

The consolidation meeting was participated in by chairmen of the party's branches in 34 provinces and 60 legislators from the party.

During the consolidation meeting, the party's leaders and cadres would discuss the latest national issues including on economic, investment and businesses.

Among speakers during the meeting were former coordinating ministers of economic affairs Chairul Tanjung and Hatta Radjasa.

Indonesia organized its first ever simultaneous regional head elections on December 9, 2015, while the second stage will be held in 2017.

Home Affairs Minister Tjahjo Kumolo has planned to use an e-voting system in the simultaneous regional head elections in 2017.

"I want that starting 2017, e-voting system will be applied in the simultaneous regional head elections, as well as in the legislative elections and the presidential elections in 2019," Minister Kumolo said in Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi on Oct. 10, 2015.(*)