Senayan Politician Criticism Of KPU Plans That Want To Prohibite Candidates And Presidential Candidates Curi Start Campaign

Member of Commission II of the House of Representatives Guspardi Gaus criticized the KPU discourse which would prohibit the socialization of legislative candidates (candidates) and presidential candidates (candidates) before the determination and period of the 2024 Simultaneous General Election (Pemilu) campaign.

"The KPU statement is very excessive and it is feared that it will be counterproductive to the spirit of freedom of expression guaranteed by law," said Guspardi in Jakarta, Tuesday, December 27.

Guspardi assessed that there were no laws and regulations that were violated by the parties if they claimed to be legislative candidates or declared themselves as presidential candidates. According to him, in order to become a candidate or presidential candidate, a person must meet various requirements and there are certain mechanisms.

"While prohibiting people from expressing in enlivening the dynamics of Indonesian democracy?" he said.

He also asked the KPU not to arbitrarily set rules without consulting with the DPR and the Government. The KPU must remain focused on preparing the 2024 election stages so that they run according to schedule and ensure that they comply with the rules that have been set.

"Don't make statements that will make public trust in the KPU as election organizers degraded," he added.

Guspardi said Commission II of the DPR would summon the KPU to clarify the plan to ban the socialization of legislative and presidential candidates during the III Session Period for the 2022-2023 Session Year starting January 10, 2023.

Previously, the KPU and the Election Supervisory Body (Bawaslu) agreed to allow political parties to conduct limited socialization before the 2024 election campaign period which began in November 2023. The KPU emphasized that the socialization could be carried out on a limited basis by displaying the party's name, logo, serial number, and vision and mission.

However, according to the KPU, a person or political party figure is prohibited from socializing himself as a candidate for election participants for the legislature and executive, such as the presidential and vice presidential candidates. The restrictions are because there is currently no official determination regarding the candidates or participants of the legislative and executive elections.