Security Coordinating Minister: Vote Wisely, Follow Health Protocols
Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Mahfud MD has urged the public to exercise their voting rights and still follow the health protocols during regional elections.
On 9 December 2020, the regional elections are held simultaneously in 270 regions in Indonesia, covering 9 provinces, 224 regencies and 37 cities.
“I remind all of you to come and vote your regional heads at the polling stations (TPS), vote wisely,” the Minister said in a video uploaded to Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs’ YouTube channel, Wednesday (9/12).
The elections, he said, will determine condition of the regions in the next five years.
“For the next five years, whether your region will improve or not is determined by your vote. Therefore, exercise the right to vote wisely,” he said, adding that voters should remain disciplined in implementing health protocols.
“Do maintain and follow health protocols. First, wear a mask; second, keep your safe distance; third, wash your hands with soap; and cast your vote by still complying with the health protocols set up by the General Elections Commission (KPU),” he said.
On that occasion, Mahfud expressed hope that the election results can be announced immediately. “Hopefully, the results of regional elections can be revealed in the afternoon or on the next morning. Meanwhile, the official results will be announced in several days,” Mahfud said.
In the meantime, spokesperson for the COVID-19 Task Force Wiku Adisasmito said that this year’s regional elections are held amid the ongoing pandemic. Therefore, the success will be determined by implementation of strict health protocols so COVID-19 transmission will not occur. The election organizers and regional election candidates must be responsible and must ensure that the 2020 regional elections can run smoothly amid the pandemic
Wiku went on to say that the KPU has issued various regulations that emphasize the importance of implementing health protocols at all stages of the elections, including voting activities at polling stations. All election workers must wear face masks, wash their hands, and keep a safe distance. They must remind voters to also be disciplined in following health protocols,”
He stressed that the regional COVID-19 Task Force is required to supervise the elections.
“If people make a crowd, warn them immediately. If they ignore the warning, the Regional Task Force (COVID-19) has the right to dismiss the election activities,” he said. Voters who violate the protocols will get a warning or will not be allowed to vote.
In his press statement, Wiku also stated that the election organizers and regional COVID-19 Task Forces have worked hard to ensure that the simultaneous regional elections run well and safe from COVID-19 transmission.
Furthermore, he said, if the public find any violation at their respective polling stations, they also have the right to report it to the election workers and ask them to take firm action.
“Remember, the 2020 simultaneous regional elections must be carried out carefully. The success of regional elections will depend on the efforts of all of us to support each other and be responsible for our respective roles. Let us create simultaneous regional elections that are safe and COVID-19 free,” Wiku concluded. (UN) (RIF/MMB)
