Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesias Home Affairs Minister, Tjahjo Kumolo, stated here on Tuesday that preparations for the regional elections in 2017 would not be affected because of the recent death of General Election Commissions chairman, Husni Kamil Manik.

"I think there will be no problem. The KPU has been solid under the leadership of Husni Kamil Manik. The government will be able to work together with whoever is chosen to take his position from among the other commissioners," he said.

He informed that the government would refer the matter of electing a permanent chairman of the KPU to its commissioners because based on the law on general elections, the chairman and deputy chairman of the KPU are elected democratically by the members of KPU at a plenary session.

To fill the vacancy left by Manik, the chairman would be selected from among the seven former KPU candidates that have undergone tests by the parliament.

"The post will be filled (from among the former candidates) based upon consecutive number and therefore, it is candidate number eight. While the permanent chairman will be elected when there are seven KPU commissioners, I would refer it to the KPU," the minister explained.

Hadar Nafis Gumay was named the acting chairman of the KPU by the remaining six commissioners on Tuesday.

Hadar Nafis, as one of the KPU commissioners, would lead the bodys meetings and will manage its administrative affairs.

"The acting KPU chief will lead until a full time leader is elected next week," KPU commissioner Sigit Pamungkas noted.

He mentioned that the election is expected to be conducted next Monday at a plenary session.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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