Bawaslu Encourages KPU To Revise Campaign Rules In Schools And Governments

JAKARTA - The General Election Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) encourages the General Election Commission (KPU) to revise campaign rules as a follow-up to the decision of the Constitutional Court (MK) which allows election participants to campaign in government and educational facilities (schools and campuses).

Bawaslu Chairman Rahmat Bagja said the campaign rules in question were General Election Commission Regulation (PKPU) Number 15 of 2023 concerning Election Campaigns.

"Yes (encouraged the KPU to revise the campaign PKPU) or the technical provisions. But it's better if the PKPU is revised so that it's clear where it can be, it's not allowed, and what methods are allowed or not," said Bagja as quoted by ANTARA, Friday, August 18.

According to him, the KPU must regulate in detail what government facilities and education may be used as a place to conduct campaigns.

"So what must be regulated, for example, what kind of government facilities? Is it a government building, including government facilities or not? Like the State Palace and city hall," he said.

For the city hall, he is worried that the mayor who has power there can carry out campaigns even without attributes.

Then, continued Bagja, the KPU must regulate whether the campaign in educational facilities is allowed in kindergarten, elementary, and junior high schools. This is because kindergarten and junior high school students are not classified into the age of voters.

"What kind of educational place? In kindergarten is it okay or not? It's not the age of voters. At public elementary schools, junior high schools, for example, it's not the age of voters," explained Bagja.

Not only that, he said, the KPU must regulate what campaign methods are allowed in educational facilities and the government. He gave an example if political parties carry out campaigns using the method of public meetings on campus is normal.

"If there is a general meeting, you can imagine on campus there is a party general meeting, let alone a state campus. Can't you say it. Yes or no? That's why we have to talk about technical issues in detail," he said.

Previously, on Tuesday (15/8), the Constitutional Court (MK) allowed election participants to campaign in government and educational facilities (schools and campuses) as long as they did not use campaign attributes. This was included in the Constitutional Court Decision Number 65/PUU-XXI/2023.