REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) asserted no one but himself knew the exact date of his registration as presidential candidate. He also did not make a clear cue on his running mate's identity.

"Well, the registration has been opened since August 4. We just have to register, but no one knows the date except me," Jokowi said after overseeing the readiness of Asian Games 2018 infrastructure at Ancol, North Jakarta, on Monday.

Jokowi only smiled when being asked further about the exact time of his registration to General Election Commission (KPU). He got four more days as the registration to be closed on August 10.

"When will I register? Well, just wait patiently," he said.

Jokowi was reluctant to explain whether he would declare his running mate first ahead of the registration to KPU. He also could declare it afterwards.

"It could be declared first, then register. But it could be registered and announced it immediately. We'll see," he remarked.

KPU has opened registration of presidential and vice presidential candidates since Saturday (Aug 4) at 08.00 am. The pair of candidates must be registered by political party or groups of political parties. The pair candidates were not required to present.

Earlier, Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) deputy secretary general Ahmad Basarah said incumbent President Joko Widodo has the right to announce his running mate. Not only in determining the time and place of declaration, Jokowi also was welcomed by the coalition to announce the name and criteria.

“It means the ball is on Jokowi’s hand,” said Basarah in Surabaya on Wednesday (Aug 1).

Basarah predicted Jokowi will announce his running mate in the end of 2019 presidential election registration period. Therefore, Jokowi will have more time and free from political psychology aspects.

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