Village Head Election In Babel Potentially Becomes A COVID-19 Cluster

JAKARTA - The Provincial Government of the Bangka Belitung Islands (Babel Provincial Government) is wary of crowds during the simultaneous village head elections (pilkades) in three districts. This could trigger an increase in cases of COVID-19 in the new Pilkades cluster.

"This Pilkades needs attention, because it can trigger conflicts and new pandemic clusters of Corona Virus transmission," said the Regional Secretary of the Babel Islands Province, Naziarto, in Pangkalpinang, as reported by Antara, Friday, August 6.

He said in anticipating crowds and potential conflicts in the implementation of village elections in Bangka, Central Bangka and South Bangka Regencies which were held simultaneously in October 2021, the Babel Islands Provincial Government had held a coordination meeting so that the implementation of this democratic party would run according to strict health rules and protocols.

"In yesterday's coordination meeting, we together with Forkopimda received inputs and strategic steps to anticipate potential security disturbances and others," he said.

"Therefore, it is necessary to socialize the implementation of the Pilkades, so that its implementation does not cause potential crowds," said Naziarto. .

In addition, local governments must also start planning budgets for the implementation of the political constellation.

"This step is important, there should not be demonstrations, mass gatherings that will trigger an increase in COVID-19 cases," he said again.