Govt Stipulates 15 February 2017 as National Holiday
In consideration of the Regional Elections of Governor and Vice Governor, Regent and Vice Regent, as well as Mayor and Vice Mayor which are to be held simultaneously in several provinces and regencies/cities, the Government deems it necessary to establish a national holiday in order to provide opportunities for voters to cast their votes.
In this regard, on 10 February 2017, President Joko Jokowi Widodo has signed a Presidential Decree (Keppres) No. 3 of 2017 on Election Day of Governor and Vice Governor, Regent and Vice Regent, Mayor and Vice Mayor 2017 as a National Holiday.
Under the Keppres, pursuant to Article 84 paragraph (3) of Law No. 1 of 2015 on Stipulation of Government Regulation in Lieu of Law No. 1 of 2014 on the Election of Governor and Vice Governor, Regent and Vice Regent, Mayor and Vice Mayor as last amended by Law No. 10 of 2016, the voting day is conducted on a day-off.
Furthermore, the General Election Commission (KPU), under this Keppres, through the Commission Regulation No. 7 of 2016 on the Second Amendment to the Commission Regulation No. 3 of 2016 on Stages, Programs, and Schedules of the Implementation of the Election of Governor and Vice Governor, Regent and Vice Regent, Mayor and Vice Mayor 2017, has stipulated the day, date, and time for voting on Wednesday, 15 February 2017. “Establishing Wednesday, 15 February 2017 as a national holiday in the framework of the Election of Governor and Vice Governor, Regent and Vice Regent, Mayor and Vice Mayor,” the FIRST dictum of the Keppres No. 3 of 2017 says.
The Keppres shall apply as of the date of its enactment. A copy of the Keppres can be downloaded in Keppres Nomor 3 Tahun 2017.
The simultaneous regional head elections are to be held in 7 provinces, namely Aceh, Bangka Belitung, DKI Jakarta, Banten, Gorontalo, West Sulawesi, and West Papua. Meanwhile, at the regency level, the elections are to be held in 76 regencies and 18 cities throughout Indonesia. (EN) (MUR/YM/Naster).
