JAKARTA, 30 August 2003 - Indonesia's election commission has proposed July 5 next year as the date for the country's first direct presidential election, with a second round on September 20 if necessary. An official said the National Election Commission had approved the dates but they can be changed if the government and the legislature disagree. A presidential candidate must secure at least 51 percent of the votes to win on the first round.
The first round will shortlist candidates if none of them secures the minimum. A general election to choose MPs, regional representatives and district representatives will be held on April 5. Presidents were previously elected by the People's Consultative Assembly, the highest constitutional body. In July 2001 it sacked President Abdurrahman Wahid for alleged incompetence and elected his deputy Megawati Sukarnoputri.

  09 January 2009 · Batik design to become world heritage this year
  08 January 2009 · Papua earthquakes drive thousands into tent camps
  08 January 2009 · Central bank cuts rate by 50 basis point to 8.75%
  07 January 2009 · FPI holds warfare training and recruitment session for Gaza
  06 January 2009 · No embassy in Bandung, demonstration at German cultural institute
  06 January 2009 · One liter of petrol for 50.000 Rupiah in West Timor
  05 January 2009 · Two more aftershocks hit Manokwari
  04 January 2009 · Manokwari airport closed after quakes
  04 January 2009 · 7.8 magnitude quake hits near Manokwari, 25 aftershocks reported
  03 January 2009 · Indonesia to launch stimulus to boost economy