LEGISLATIVE ELECTIONS TO TAKE PLACE SIMULTANEOUSLY

Jakarta, Jan 30 (ANTARA) - General Elections Commission (KPU) chairman Abdul Hafiz Anshary said the legislative elections scheduled for April 9 would be implemented simultaneously throughout the country.

He made the statement in response to a request from several quarters that the date be changed, especially in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) and Bali provinces where the majority of the people would commemorate religious events on that day.
"It is impossible. It must be done simultaneously," he said. said.
Hafiz said he had received a letter requesting for a change in the date for the legislative election in the two provinces.
He said he had already asked local KPU officers in the regions to conduct approaches to parties concerned to ensure smooth implementation of the religious events as well as the legislative election on that day.
The chairman of the East Nusa Tenggara regional legislative assembly, Melkianus Adoe, earlier asked the KPU to consider moving the date of the election as April 9 is also the date for the Catholics to commemorate the White Thursday to mark the last supper held by Jesus before he was crucified.
"The effect will be great. The number of eligible voters in NTT is around 2.7 millions. Ceremonies meanwhile will last from morning to evening," he said.
Hafiz hoped the implementation of the vote and the religious event would not clash. He hoped there would be a regulation to assure smooth implementation of the two activities.
In Bali meanwhile April 9 will coincide with the commemoration of the Full Moon Day when people would hold the Panca Walikrama ceremony.
KPU member Endang Sulastri earlier said that KPU did not intend to change the election schedule. "We will conduct approaches first. If the schedule is changed it will affect the schedule of other stages," he said.