Regional Elections Candidates Must Show Public Discipline in Following Health Protocols

Logo of Simultaneous Regional Elections to be held on 9 December 2020. (Photo by: General Elections Commission (KPU))

The COVID-19 National Working Committee called on all candidates for Regional Elections to show the public that they implement the health protocols to ensure the safety of the public, Spokesperson of the Committee Wiku Adisasmito has said.

He also mentioned that there are 243 violations against the health protocols committed by candidate pairs or their political parties. The violations are, among others, several prospective candidates for the upcoming regional elections who were tested positive for COVID-19 still registered their candidacies, mass gathering of the supporters who did not maintain safe distance, and candidates did not submit results of PCR tests in the registration.

“As of 14 September 2020, the General Elections Commission (KPU) has reported that 60 prospective candidates had tested positive for COVID-19, whereas they must showcase a good discipline to the public,” Wiku said in a press conference at the Presidential Office, Jakarta, Thursday (17/9).

In addition, anticipative measures must be taken to rally activities which potentially involve the masses such as music concerts. Therefore, the Spokesperson said that the activities must be done virtually without involving the masses in physical state.

He went on to say that we need to raise the awareness in COVID-19 high-risk regions, such as East and Central Java. As of 13 September, there were 45 regencies/cities categorized as red zones (high-risk areas) and 152 regencies/cities categorized as moderate-risk areas.

“Implementation of health protocols must be tightened during all Elections’ stages. All regions must pay close attention to this matter, particularly that two provinces,” he said.

On the other hand, several other provinces have high recovery rates, including West Kalimantan (86.07%), Central Sulawesi (85.24%), Gorontalo (85.18%), Bangka Belitung Islands (84.45%), and North Maluku (82.27%).

“Once again, do not create a crowd because it can increase the risk of virus transmission. All activities involving the masses are banned. We must uphold principle of “Salus Populi Suprema Lex Esto” which means the health of the people should be the supreme law,” he firmly said. (Communication Team of COVID-19 Handling and National Economic Recovery Committee /EN)

Translated by : Rany Anjany
Reviewed by: Yuyu Mulyani