The Mataram Bawaslu Investigate Allegations Of Pura In Cakranegara Becomes A Campaign Place For The NTB Gubernatorial Election

NTB - The General Election Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) of Mataram City, is investigating alleged campaign violations in the use of places of worship or pretending to be one of the pairs of candidates for Governor and Deputy Governor of NTB.

The Coordinator of the Division for Handling Violations and Completion of Bawaslu Disputes in Mataram City, Bambang Suprayogi, said reports related to the use of temples for campaign activities based on complaints from the public.

"So what was reported was that there was campaign activity in temples in Cakranegara, Mataram City on October 27, 2024," he said in Mataram, Monday, November 4, which was confiscated by Antara.

According to Bambang, his party has obtained photos and videos of campaign activities carried out at one of the Puras in Cakranegara on October 28, 2024.

However, on October 29, 2024, there was a direct warning by the Hindu community organization of NTB Province regarding campaign activities by the candidate pair election number 2, Zulkieflimansyah-Suhaili FT or Zul-Uhel.

"And indeed what was reported was campaign activity for candidate pair number 2," he said.

Furthermore, said Bambang, the clarification of a total of 12 people invited for information to the local Bawaslu office was already nine people who were present on Friday, November 1, 2024.

"There have been nine people present out of 12 people for clarification. They, we invite them to ensure all events of available evidence related to the investigation into the alleged use of places of worship as campaign locations," said Bambang.

He admitted that his party was committed to reading the incident in its entirety with an in-depth time according to the provisions, namely, seven days.

"So, later after that time, we will have a more comprehensive discussion with Gakumdu," said Bambang.

Meanwhile, the Head of the NTB Bawaslu, Itratip, confirmed that the Mataram City Bawaslu was investigating the alleged violation of the use of places of worship for campaign activities, one of the candidate pairs for governor and deputy governor of NTB.

"This afternoon, the Mataram Bawaslu informed us about reports of complaints of campaign activities by one of the banned pairs of candidates for governor and deputy governor of NTB, namely at Pura Cakranegara, Mataram City," he said.

According to Itratip, if violations are found later, there will be a mechanism that is carried out, including the clarification process.

Referring to the rules of Law Number 7 of 2017 Article 280, the campaign team is prohibited from conducting campaigns, one of which is in places of worship.

"Later, what we will refer to article 280 paragraph 1 is to regulate it, Article 280 there will be sanctions if the related parties are carried out into the realm of election crime," he said.

Itratip hopes that the ranks of the Mataram City Bawaslu can carry out a search as soon as possible and can be followed up immediately by the local Bawaslu.

"We at the NTB Province Bawaslu support the steps taken by the Mataram City Bawaslu to search for campaign activities, one of the banned pairs of candidates for governor and deputy governor of NTB, namely at Cakranegara Temple, Mataram City," he said.