PDIP Accuses Of Removing Ganjar-Mahfud Billboards Proof That The Government Is Not Neutral In Elections

Satpol PP removed Ganjar-Mahfud billboards in the Batu Bulan area, Gianyar, Bali/PHOTO: Dafi-VOI

JAKARTA - Member of the PDI-P faction, Charles Honoris, assessed that the removal of Ganjar Pranowo-Mahfud MD's billboards in Bali is proof that it is difficult for government officials to maintain neutrality in the implementation of elections. Moreover, President Joko Widodo's eldest son, Gibran Rakabuming, ran as a vice presidential candidate in the 2024 presidential election.

"This is a consequence when the president's son who is still in office participates in the presidential election contestation," Charles told reporters, Wednesday, November 1.

According to Charles, the removal of billboards could have been done without the knowledge and approval of the president. However, he said, there would be a tendency for assistants to the president and his subordinates to'search face' to their superiors. This, said Charles, could be seen for different reasons from regional officials to executors in the field. Not to mention, there is a viral video of Wamendes-PDTT, Paiman Raharjo who chaired a consolidation meeting to win the Prabowo-Gibran pair. "I am not surprised that in the months ahead of the Pilleg and Presidential Election voting, we will hear reports about the existence of government officials who side with certain pairs of candidates," he said.

The member of Commission I of the DPR said that the advancement of the President's son who is still in the presidential election contest was the first experience for the Indonesian nation. Therefore, Charles asked for the government's commitment to maintain neutrality in the 2024 election. "This election must be the highest in history. Otherwise, the decline in our democracy is naked in front of our eyes, and Jokowi's good name will be at stake," he concluded.