House Votes For Indirect Regional Head Elections

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - The House of Representatives (DPR), after a long debate in a plenary session early on Friday, decided through voting to endorse a bill on indirect regional head elections.

"The results of voting show that 135 DPR members voted for direct regional head election and 361 voted against it," Deputy Chairman of the DPR Priyo Budi Santoso who chaired the plenary session said at the wee hours here on Friday.

The plenary session was held to take a decision over a bill on regional head elections which stipulates that regional head elections are held by the Regional Legislative Assembly (DPRD), or indirect election.

During the voting there were House faction members who defected from their political party's stance.

In the voting, 11 Golkar Party faction members voted for direct regional head elections and 73 others voted against.

A total of 88 legislators of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDIP)faction voted for direct elections.

Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) faction saw 55 members voted for indirect elections (elections by the DPRD), while 44 members of the National Mandate Party (PAN) faction voted for indirect elections.

Thirty three members of the United Development Party (PPP) factions were in favor of elections through the DPRD, and 20 legislators from the National Awakening Party (PKB) faction agreed direct elections.

The Greater Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra)'s 22 faction members were solid in voting for indirect regional head elections.

Ten legislators from the People's Conscience Party (Hanura) faction voted for direct one.

In the meantime, there were six members of the Democratic Party (PD) members who voted for direct regional head elections. (WDY)