GOVT PROPOSES MINIMUM 15 PERCENT VOTES FOR RIGHT TO NOMINATE CANDIDATES

Jakarta, Oct 20 (ANTARA) - The government has proposed a requirement of minimum 15 percent votes from legislative elections for a party or a coalition of parties to be able to nominate presidential and vice presidential candidates for the presidential elections next year.
Minister/State Secretary Hatta Rajasa told newsmen at the parliament building here on Monday that "this is the government's proposal. The government's stance is reflected in the bill on presidential election."
He made the statement before a working meeting between the government and the House of Representatives' Special Committee on the bill on 2009 presidential and vice presidential elections.
Hatta said that although it was the government that had proposed the requirement it would be the factions in the House of Representatives that would decide about it.
He said the government was aware that there would always be compromises in politics and "so please discuss them to make a stance."
He said it would be better if a decision on the bill was made through consultations. "To our view factions have already had a unity of minds."
He said the government however was also aware that voting would be done if consultations or lobbies failed to settle differences.
He believed the House of Representatives would be able to finish the bill before it entered a recess on October 30.