Supporting The Government's Proposal, Golkar Agrees That General Elections Will Be Held May 15, 2024

JAKARTA - The Golkar Party supports the government's statement through the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud MD who proposes elections to be held on May 15, 2024. Golkar agrees with the proposal.

Deputy Chairperson of the Golkar Party, Ahmad Doli Kurnia Tanjung, said that this had also been agreed in the plenary meeting of the Golkar Party's DPP, Monday, September 27 evening.

"Last night I conveyed that the plenary meeting, the general chairman agreed and all meetings agreed (the presidential election) on May 15," said Doli at the DPR building, Tuesday, September 28.

The chairman of Commission II of the DPR revealed that the government had previously submitted the proposal through the Minister of Home Affairs, Tito Karnavian. At that time, he said, the government proposed option 3, April, 24 April, 8 May and 15 May.

"So the decision on May 15, in my opinion, has been studied very carefully from various aspects, one of which is efficiency and effectiveness," he said.

Doli admitted that there was no problem if the campaign period had to be shortened. Because according to him, all parties have had previous campaign experience, namely in the 2020 regional election, which was 90 days to 71 days.

"If it's reduced by just one month, I don't think there's a problem because the principle is like this, we predict that later in the stages until 2024 the atmosphere will still be at least post-pandemic. So, our habit of people to maintain health procedures is still going on. Therefore, we also avoid crowds. the crowd," said Doli.

Unlike Golkar, the Chairman of the Group (Kapoksi) of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) in Commission II of the DPR, Arif Wibowo, objected to the government's proposal.

The PDIP faction asked the government to carefully consider and review it comprehensively regarding the proposed time

"PDIP objected to the May 15 vote because it asked for a reconsideration," said Arif.

The reason, continued Arif, there are several problems if the 2024 elections are held on May 15. One of the most crucial is to coincide with the arrival of the holy month of Ramadan.

"We are passing through the month of Ramadan and Eid, especially the month of Ramadan, which is a month that we respect. Originally there were no political activities," explained Arif.

It is known that the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs (Menko Polhukam), Mahfud MD, said the government proposed holding the 2024 General Election on May 15.

He said this was based on the results of an internal meeting attended by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi), Vice President Ma'aruf Amin, and a number of related ministries on Monday, September 27.

"The government's choice is May 15," said Mahfud.