PAN to Challenge Surabaya Mayor Race Disqualification
Jakarta. The National Mandate Party (PAN) is planning to challenge a General Elections Commission (KPU) decision to disqualify its mayoral candidate for the city of Surabaya, a move that could delay the contest for two years.
The Surabaya office of the commission recently rejected the application of mayoral hopefuls Rasiyo and Dhimam Abror Djuraid, who are supported by a coalition of PAN and the Democratic Party.
PAN stalwart Viva Yoga Mauladi said his party is considering challenging the KPU decision, and has already reported the KPU to the Elections Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) and the Elections Organizers Ethics Council (DKPP).
"The Surabaya KPU has misinterpreted the KPU regulation," Viva said on Monday.
The candidate for mayor, Rasiyo, has submitted all required documents, but his running mate's failure to meet administrative requirements rendered the pair ineligible to take part in the election scheduled for Dec. 9, officials said.
With the pair disqualified from the Surabaya election, the "race" now features one candidate: incumbent Mayor Tri Rismaharini.
The law on regional elections bars a one-candidate contest, which means the election will have to be postponed to the next round of simultaneous regional elections in 2017.
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