JAYAPURA: The Papuan gubernatorial election has been temporarily halted while
the Constitutional Court considers protests about the Papuan Legislative
Council’s (DPRP) actions during the early election stages.
The DPRP hosted the registration process and verified gubernatorial candidates,
activities viewed by many, including the General Elections Commission (KPU), as
intervening beyond its authority.
Coordinating Political, Legal and
Security Affairs Minister Djoko Suyanto said the dispute over the issue of
authority would be resolved. A 2011 regulation, Bylaw No. 6, gives the DPRP
authority to organize the registration and verification processes, while another
2011 regulation, Law No. 15, states that the organizer of regional elections is
the KPU. “It’s purely about authority. Each side insists on their own rights
based on the regulations,” Djoko said. Seven pairs of candidates are running for
the election.
