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4 more parties in Indonesia to take part in 2009 polls

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-08-17 10:35

JAKARTA -- Four more political parties in Indonesia have been declared eligible to contest the 2009 general elections, bringing the total number of political parties to 38, the country's General Election Commission (KPU) has announced.

The four political parties include the Freedom Party, the Indonesian Nahdlatul Ummah Unity Party, the Indonesian Association Party and the Labour Party, Antara news agency on Sunday quoted KPU Chairman Abdul Hafiz Anshary as saying.

Previously, the four political parties had not been included in the list of eligible parties on the ground they had not passed the KPU's physical verification test. But the parties then challenged the KPU's decision in the State Administrative Court (PTUN) which eventually ruled in their favor.

The legislative election day is set for April 9, 2009, while the presidential election date has yet to be decided by the General Elections Commission (KPU).

The 2004 election was contended by 24 parties.

The 2009 elections will be Indonesia's second direct presidential election. The first direct presidential election was won by the Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Jusuf Kalla pair.