Alfian and Urip Hudiono, Jakarta – Although criticizing the selection process for the General Elections Commission (KPU), observers said Thursday the President should install the new members immediately.

"The new KPU members have a very limited time and a lot of work is awaiting them for the 2009 general election," said Jeirry Sumampow, national coordinator of the People's Voter Education Network.

Executive director of the Centre for Electoral Reform, Hadar N Gumay, said the government was already behind schedule in putting the new members in place.

"The KPU for the 2004 elections was established in 2001. This new KPU will only have one-and-a-half years to prepare for the 2009 elections," he said.

Both observers said internal consolidation should be the first order of business for the KPU. "They have to select a secretary-general and reformulate their internal structure to be simpler, as recommended by the legislature," said Jeirry.

KPU members are not only responsible for managing national elections, but also formulating regulations related to regional elections. "Even time for breathing will be a luxury for the KPU members," said Hadar.

The process of picking KPU members has been strongly criticized, particularly the selection of Syamsul Bahri, who has been named a suspect in a graft case.

Syamsul submitted a letter to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono last week requesting clarification of his legal status and asking that his swearing-in as a KPU member be postponed, Home Minister Mardiyanto said.

"The President will take the matter seriously, communicating intensively on it with all parties concerned," the home minister said after a meeting with Yudhoyono, State Secretary Hatta Radjasa and Attorney General Hendarman Supandji.

"The government will do what is appropriate and needed, and does not intend to become involved in a blame game with any party. The President has asked the attorney general to expedite the legal process regarding him (Syamsul), and we will communicate with everyone necessary."

Mardiyanto however said no decision had been made concerning the swearing-in of the new KPU members.

Jeirry said the members should be installed immediately, regardless of the status of Syamsul. "I think Syamsul should be eliminated from the list and replaced by the eighth person on the list," he said.

The seven new members of the KPU was selected by members of the House of Representatives' Commission II overseeing home affairs. Syamsul ranked fifth among the 20 candidates. In eighth place was Saut Hamonangan Sirait, who received 21 votes from commission members.

Jeirry said replacing Syamsul with Saut was both legal and important for the KPU's credibility. He said Syamsul's presence on the KPU would just prove to be an added distraction and burden for the poll body. "The KPU would have to handle his legal case as well."

Hadar said dropping Syamsul would only create a new problem. "House members who supported Syamsul would bring up this issue. He personally could also bring a case over the decision and we would have an endless debate," he said.

Hadar said the President could just install six members of the KPU and postpone a decision on Syamsul until his legal status was clarified. While acknowledging that six members was not ideal, Hadar said this was the best option at the moment.