Population Data Becomes A Problem Facing The 2024 Election, DPR Asks KPU And Local Government To Move

Illustration of the process of folding ballot papers for the 2019 Election. (Antara Rahmad)

JAKARTA - Member of Commission II of the House of Representatives, Guspardi Gaus, asked the General Elections Commission (KPU) and local governments (Pemda) to resolve population data issues in preparation for the 2024 General Election.

"The House of Representatives Commission II together with the government and election organizers have approved the PKPU and agreed to use the population database from the Population and Civil Registration Service (Dukcapil) of the Ministry of Home Affairs which has been updated," said Guspardi in his statement, quoted by Antara, Thursday, July 14.

According to him, problems that arise regarding population data are usually not much different from previous elections, namely starting from recording electronic identity cards or e-KTPs, and issuing them when the availability of blanks is limited.

"If there is a shortage of e-KTP forms, the local government is expected to immediately report to the central government because the Ministry of Home Affairs, through the director general of Dukcapil, has guaranteed the availability of e-KTP forms," he explained.

Furthermore, Guspardi also asked the KPU in the regions to anticipate and minimize various potential problems related to the preparation for the 2024 General Election, such as problems regarding the voter list on the data of the deceased population, changing addresses, novice voters, marital status, and retired members of the TNI/Polri.

He considered, there must be a more proactive breakthrough in election organizers. In addition, local governments must also consolidate and synergize in preparation for the 2024 General Election.

"It is also necessary to match the data in the regional government with the data on the permanent voter list (DPT) owned by the KPU," he said.

The KPU and local government must be more active in picking up the ball and conducting massive socialization to the public, so that they are more aware of the importance of population data administration.