Government: No COVID-19 Cluster From Pilkada So Far

President Jokowi's son-in-law who is also a candidate for mayor of Medan (Instagram / @ bobbynst)

JAKARTA - The Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud MD claims that the implementation of the Pilkada stages so far has not created a new cluster of COVID-19. Mahfud said, thanks to the discipline of implementing health protocols.

The report was submitted by the General Election Commission (KPU) and the Election Supervisory Board (Bawaslu) when he gave directions for the 2020 Pilkada preparation in front of KPU Chairmen, Bawaslu Heads, and Forkopimda throughout Yogyakarta, in Purwosari District, Gunung Kidul Regency, Saturday, November 7. .

"I am happy to hear the Bawaslu and KPU reports. Why? Because before the election was approved, there was a protest to postpone it because it was currently COVID. But thank God, until the next four weeks to vote, the Pilkada process has so far not created a new cluster of COVID. both in DIY and in various other regions in Indonesia, "said Mahfud, in a written statement received by VOI, Saturday, November 7.

Furthermore, Mahfud said that so far the process and stages of the Pilkada had more than 50 percent. Specifically for the three districts in DIY that will hold regional head elections as reported by Bawaslu, 5 violations were found during the campaign. However, none of the violations were related to health protocols.

"Through Gunung Kidul, I advise all KPU and Bawaslu and Forkopimda throughout Indonesia to keep this Pilkada done well, without the emergence of a new cluster of COVID from the stages we will still face until 9 December," he said.

Manfud said, keeping the Pilkada well done is very important. This is because the simultaneous regional elections in 2020 will involve 309 regencies and cities to elect 270 regional heads. Every day there will be a campaign conducted by 715 candidate pairs (paslon) throughout Indonesia.

"Why involve 309 city regencies, because the province which holds the election for governor, there will also be a campaign in every city district in the region," he said.

Mahfud also appealed to regional leaders to intensively communicate and coordinate to assist election organizers in implementing health protocols during the election stages.