Meranti Islands KPU Proposes IDR 35 Billion For 2024 Pilkada

Illustration (Photo: Antara)

RIAU - The General Election Commission (KPU) of Meranti Islands Regency, Riau Province, has submitted a 2024 Regional Head Election (Pilkada) budget of Rp. 35 billion to the local government.

Member of the Meranti Islands KPU, Parmas Division and Hanafi HR, said that the budget was larger than the implementation of the Meranti Islands Regent and Deputy Regent Election in 2020.

"The amount increased by IDR 12.2 billion from last year's IDR 22.2 billion," Hanafi explained in Selatpanjang, quoted by Antara, Thursday, May 19.

The budget requirement plan (RKB), continued Hanafi, is in accordance with the provisions of the regional election that its implementation is the burden of the Meranti Islands Regency APBD. This is different from the general election which is accommodated directly by the central government's APBN through the RI KPU.

It is recognized that the increase in cost requirements is more dominantly caused by an increase in the amount of honorarium for ad hoc committees, such as the voting committee (PPS), the sub-district election committee (PPK), the voting organizers group (KPPS), to the voter data updating officer (PPDP).

"In the previous election, the PPK Chair only received Rp. 1.8 million, while the members received Rp. 1.6 million. In the future, the Chair of the PPK will increase to Rp. 2.5 million, while members can receive Rp. 2.2 million per person. Likewise with the ad hoc committee. others," said Hanafi.

Following up on the direction of the Indonesian KPU, Hanafi revealed that the proposal was submitted earlier this year to the regional government through the Kesbangpol Section of the Meranti Islands Regional Secretariat. As is known, the stages of the Meranti Islands Regency Pilkada began in November 2023. Meanwhile, the terms of office of the Regent and Deputy Regent of the Meranti Islands ended on November 2024.

Responding to this, the Regent of Meranti Islands Regency, Adil, said that the KPU's proposed budget submission must have been discussed by the regional government budget team (TAPD). If it is completed, it will proceed to the regional grant agreement (NPHD).

"What is clear is that we want the democratic party to run smoothly without the slightest obstacle. Therefore, this is included in the priority scale," he said.

The Regent also invites the community to create quality local elections with an honest and fair spirit so as to produce quality regional leaders.