KPU to add more question-answer sessions

JAKARTA. General Elections Commission (KPU) chairman Husni Kamil Manik says that they will add an additional question-and-answer session to the next presidential debate that will be held at the Gran Melia Hotel in Jakarta on Sunday, June 15.

"We will add more question-and-answers and reduce the time the moderator has to ask questions," he told tempo.co on Wednesday.

Husni explained that the first session would allow the candidates to explain their mission statement on developing the economy and social welfare. The next session would be allocated for detailed explanations.

The third session would be used by the moderator to ask questions and the candidates would have the next two sessions to deliver their answers. The sixth session would be allotted for closing statements.

In the previous debate on Monday, each presidential ticket was only allowed to ask one question of their opponent during a single question-and-answer session.

Economist Ahmad Erani Yustika of the Institute for Development of Economics and Finance (Indef) will be moderating the debate that will be broadcast on MetroTV and Bloomberg. (fss/dic)