Minister Reminds Regional Elections Candidate Pairs to Follow Health Protocols until Last Day of Campaign

Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Mahfud MD called on regional head and vice head candidate pairs to adhere to the health protocols and rules until the last day of the campaign.

“Those flouting the protocols will be imposed with sanction, until the last day of the campaign,” Mahfud said in his press statement on Saturday (5/12).

On that occasion, the Coordinating Minister delivered his appreciation for the success of the campaign. Based on reports from the National Police (Polri), the Election Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu), and the General Elections Commission (KPU), the organization of campaign in the last 71 days has run smoothly.

Until day 71, 1,520 violations have been found or around 2.2 percent of the 75,000 activities. However, the violations are still on a small scale and did not create new clusters of COVID-19 transmission. Sixteen cases out of the total violation numbers are categorized as criminal offenses. Sanctions have also been imposed to the violator.

Mahfud told the regional head and vice head candidate pairs to end the campaign in good term before entering the quite moment.

On different occasion, Spokesperson of the COVID-19 National Working Committee Wiku Adisasmito delivers four messages on the implementation of regional elections during the pandemic.

First, the public as voters must realize the importance of regional heads roles in curbing COVID-19 pandemic in their respective regions.

“Vote for leaders who strictly follow the health protocols during the campaign, since it reflected their responsibilities,” he said adding that this year’s elections will determine health security and recovery of the respective regions during the pandemic.

He expressed hope that the public can use their voices to choose responsible leaders who have the capacity and commitment to lead the regions during the pandemic.

Second, the Committee ordered the public to always follow the health protocols during the 2020 regional elections and regulations set by the KPU so it will not increase the number of COVID-19 cases or create a new cluster.

Third, the Committee called on the candidate pairs to use the last day of the campaign optimally and to always disseminate the importance of safe and COVID-19-free regional elections.

Fourth, the Committee ordered the Bawaslu to take firm actions to candidate pairs who flout the health protocols.

“Do coordinate with the Committee assigned in the regions to disperse activities that create crowds,” Wiku said.

On the other hand, the KPU has been taking anticipative measures to prevent the surge in COVID-19 cases ahead of the elections.

“The KPU has drew up regulations and health protocols that must be followed by the election organizers, such as to conduct testing to the officer assigned at polling stations and to ensure that they are healthy and free from COVID-19,” he said.

Handwashing stations and hand sanitizer will be provided at all polling stations. The officers and voters are obliged to wear face masks, maintain safe distance, and set the voters in batches to prevent the crowds.

Officers will check body temperature of the voters before entering the polling stations. Beforehand, simulation will be carried out with monitoring from the COVID-19 National Working Committee.

“Let us organize a safe and COVID-19-free regional elections. Let’s affirm our commitment to do the utmost in preventing the spread of COVID-19 in Indonesia,” Wiku said. (Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs PR/ COVID-19 National Working Committee Communication Team/UN) (RAS/MUR)