Jakarta – A former military chief turned politician said Sunday the authorities should consider allowing independent candidates run for president.

Former Indonesian Military chief Gen. (ret) Wiranto said recent suggestions that independent candidates be allowed to participate in elections could be accommodated.

"The problem is, if an independent candidate wins the election, he will not be able to gain much support from the parliament," Wiranto, also chairman of the People's Conscience Party (Hanura), told Antara in Bangka Belitung provincial capital of Pangkal Pinang. Wiranto was in Pangkal Pinang to officiate the party's provincial executive board.

However, a candidate will only be able run as an independent if the 1945 Constitution is amended. Article 6A of the Constitution says a presidential or vice presidential candidate must be nominated by a political party or an alliance of parties participating in the election.

An independent candidate will only be able to run in a gubernatorial election if the related law is amended. At present, the law is still being reviewed in the Constitutional Court.

Aceh is a different case, with independent candidates allowed to run for regent, mayor and governor under a 2006 special autonomy law.

Wiranto lost his presidency bid representing the Golkar Party in 2004, when he failed to make it to the run-off round.