The General Election Commission (KPU) has determined the total number of seats in the People's Regional Council (DPRD) at the provincial as well as regency level, giving legislative candidates a clear picture of how to act in the election next April.
DPRD at the provincial level, with a total of 30 provinces, will have 1770 seats, while DPRD at the regency level (a total of 410 regencies or municipalities), will have 13,525 seats.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Deputy Head of the KPU Ramlan Surbakti said the decision was taken on the basis of General Election Bill No 12/2003. Article 49 of the legislation regulates the provision of total seats in the DPRD, while article 50 regulates provision of seats at the regency or municipality level.
In Aceh and Papua, the number of seats was determined in accordance with the law on special autonomy, providing an additional 25% of seats. Thus Aceh will have 14 additional seats and Papua 11 seats.
Surbakti stressed that population gains or losses accounted for increases or decreases in the number of seats in each province. "The cities which are becoming increasingly densely populated will automatically get additional seats in the DPRD at the provincial, regency or municipality level," he said.
Following the open-list system adopted through the new general election bill No. 12/2003, the national executive boards of political parties are no longer the only authorized agents in determining who candidates. Provincial chapters and branches also have the authority to propose candidates to the party central boards in Jakarta.
Money politics
Article 2 of the revised 1945 constitution stipulates that the peak People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), in addition to members of parliament elected through a general election, will also include local, un-elected representatives of the regions. These representatives are known as Dewan Perwakilan Daerah (DPD). Registration for candidacy opened on 8 July.
Unlike members of the House and the regional legislatures, recruitment of DPD members is not conducted by political parties or organizations, but on an individual basis. Party members, in fact, are not allowed to nominate.
Article 63 of the General Election Bill states that candidates must not be party functionaries. The aim of the DPD is to represent locals aspiration, leaving the House of Representatives (DPR) to represent the interests of parties and vested interest groups.
Before the revisions to the 1945 constitution, the local representatives were manipulated by the Suharto regime to support his power through the MPR. As appointed members, the local representatives were the political apparatus of Suharto rather than acting as the voice of local people.
In the 2004 general election, the DPD members will not have an easy task. In the new version of the constitution, local representatives must have strong roots in their respective regions. Thus, in order to be able to take part, candidates must have the support of many thousands of people.
DPD members from provinces with one million in population must be supported by at least one thousand voters. In provinces with populations between one and five million, candidate must be supported by 2,000 voters, and in provinces which have between five and 10 million people, candidates must gain 3,000 votes. For those with 10 to 15 million people, candidates must be supported by 4,000 and, in provinces with more than 15 million, candidates must be supported by 5,000 electors.
Article 11 (2) of the election bill stipulates that supporters of DPD members must be spread across at least 25% of the total number of regencies and municipalities.
For example, in the province of Jakarta, with 7.5 million people, a DPD member must gain 3,000 votes, and these must come from at least two of the five municipalities The declaration of support from voters must be written together with the signature and identity card number.
DPD candidates are likely to face a bumpy road in their struggle to gain the necessary votes. Voters are likely to ask for a "reward" in return for their support. Thus, DPD candidates will need independent wealth or the backing of big business.
Candidates who have strong financial resources could take a short cut by approaching the leaders of political parties and mass organizations. Once more, money politics seems to be likely to be the key to success.
Details of the 1770 seats in the DPRD are as follows:
- Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam, 69 seats.
- North Sumatra, 85 seats.
- West Sumatra, 55 seats.
- Riau, 65 seats.
- Jambi, 45 seats.
- South Sumatra, 65 seats
- Bengkulu, 45 seats.
- Lampung, 65 seats.
- Bangka Belitung, 35 seats.
- Jakarta, 75 seats.
- West Java, 100 seats
- Central Java, 100 seats.
- Yoyakarta, 55 seats.
- East Java, 100 seats.
- Banten, 75 seats
- Bali, 55 seats.
- East Nusatenggara, 55 seats.
- West Kalimantan, 55 seats.
- Central Kalimantan, 45 seats.
- South Kalimantan, 55 seats.
- East Kalimantan, 45 seats.
- North Sulawesi, 45 seats.
- Central Sulawesi, 45 seats.
- South Sulawesi, 75 seats.
- Southeast Sulawesi, 45 seats.
- Gorontalo, 35 seats.
- Maluku, 45 seats.
- North Maluku, 35 seats.
- Papua, 56 seats.