Galungan Day Clashes, 2024 Election Schedule Shifted

JAKARTA - Commission II of the DPR will shift the schedule for holding the Legislative Election (Pileg) and Presidential Election (Pilpres 2024) which was originally held on February 28, 2024. This is because that date coincides with the Galungan holiday which is commemorated by Hindus, especially Bali.

In response, member of Commission II of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Guspardi Gaus explained that the government and parliament have not finally decided when to vote for the 2024 General Election, both for the Legislative Election (Pileg) and the Presidential Election (Pilpres).

"It has not been decided, it is still a proposal, yesterday it was just a team 12 meeting. So if it turns out to coincide with Galungan Day, we will definitely move it," said Guspardi to reporters, Tuesday, June 8.

The PAN politician admitted that he had asked the KPU not to only prepare one scenario, namely the implementation in February. "Look at other alternatives, at least two alternatives," he said.

The legislator from West Sumatra also clarified that the election schedule on February 28, 2024 was just a start or a proposal and was the result of an understanding of the Joint Working Team consisting of each Kapoxi in Commission II of the DPR RI, the Ministry of Home Affairs, represented by the Director General of Polhum and the Director General of Autonomy, KPU. , Bawaslu. The team discussed the design of the 2024 General Election proposed by the Indonesian KPU.

"And if it turns out to coincide with the day of the Hindus (Galungan) of course, the time for the election must be shifted," explained Guspardi.

Previously, Deputy Chairman of Commission II of the DPR RI, Luqman Hakim, stated that the voting time for the Legislative Election (Pileg) and the Presidential Election (Pilpres 2024) was set to take place on February 28, 2024. Meanwhile, the voting time for the 2024 Regional Head Election would be on November 27, 2024.

This information was immediately commented on by a Hindu religious figure, Putu Setia. He said February 28, 2024 coincided with Galungan Day.

Putu hopes that the 2024 election voting schedule will not be held on February 28 so that it does not collide with Galungan Day which falls on the same date.

"The KPU and the DPR (commission II) have set the presidential and legislative elections on February 28, 2024. Please note that this is Galungan Day, a religious holiday for the Hindus of the Archipelago. Bali ensures that 89.7 percent abstain from voting. Please pay attention," Putu said on his Twitter account. @mpujayaprema Monday, June 7th.

Therefore, Commission II of the DPR will conduct a re-discussion with the ranks of the General Elections Commission (KPU), the Election Supervisory Body (Bawaslu), the Election Organizing Honorary Council (DKPP) and the government.

"To determine a suitable and appropriate schedule for the implementation of the democratic party," concluded Guspardi, who is also a member of the Legislative Council of the Republic of Indonesia.