Riau Islands Become The Focus Of The KPU So That The 2024 Election Process Is Not Hampered, Why?

Photo via Antara

JAKARTA - The General Elections Commission (KPU) is mapping out potential problems that could hinder the stages up to the 2024 Simultaneous General Election and Pilkada in the Riau Islands (Kepri).

"Kepri is one of our priorities because of the characteristics of the archipelago," said KPU chairman Hasyim Asy'ari during the Coordination and Socialization Meeting on the Stages of the 2024 Simultaneous General Election and Pilkada with the Governor and Forkopimda Riau Islands on Dompak Island, Tanjungpinang, Wednesday, June 22, quoted from Antara.

As an archipelagic region, he said, there are a number of issues that need to be anticipated by the KPU as the organizer of the 2024 General Election, especially in Riau Islands. Especially regarding the distribution of logistics and equipment for polling stations (TPS) during the rainy season and extreme weather that has the potential to disrupt the smooth running of the 2024 Simultaneous General Election and Pilkada.

In addition, he said, his party will closely monitor the campaign period of candidates for the 2024 democratic party.

"We realize that the KPU cannot work alone, but must involve the Riau Islands Provincial Government and forkopimda throughout the Riau Islands to make the 2024 Election a success," he said.

In addition, Hasyim, said that Riau Islands, which directly borders with neighboring Singapore, has around 2,408 islands, of which around 400 are already inhabited.

The islands, he explained, were spread to the outermost lines of Indonesia, such as the Anambas and Natuna Islands.

Therefore, he said, it is important for the KPU to guarantee the rights of voters in the outer islands, one of which is by encouraging the polling stations to be closer to voters.

"The KPU must ensure that those who live in the outer islands and fulfill the requirements can exercise their right to vote in the 2024 General Election," he said.

Meanwhile, Riau Islands Governor Ansar Ahmad supports the Indonesian KPU in carrying out every stage of the 2024 Simultaneous General Election and Regional Head Elections.

He invited the Indonesian KPU to educate its citizens so that voter participation in the 2024 General Election and Regional Head Elections from time to time continues to increase.

According to him, in the 2015 election, the Riau Islands voter participation rate was around 55 percent, while in the 2020 election it rose to 60 percent.

"Hopefully the 2024 Simultaneous General Election and Regional Head Election can be even bigger. Moreover, our target voters are millennials," said Ansar.