Bengkulu Deputy Governor Candidate Died Of COVID-19, What Are The Procedures In The Pilkada?

DOCK. ANTARA / The candidate pair for Governor and Deputy Governor of Bengkulu Helmi Hasan (Left) and Muslihan Diding Sutrisno

BENGKULU - Bengkulu Province KPU Commissioner Emex Verzoni said that his party is waiting for the KPU RI decision regarding the death of the Bengkulu vice governor candidate number 1 Muslihan Diding Sutrisno (74) who is paired with Helmi Hasan in the Bengkulu 2020 Pilkada.

Muslihan was previously reported to have been exposed to COVID-19 and had to receive medical treatment at RSUD M Yunus Bengkulu City. As a result of this illness, Muslihan was also absent from the final round of the debate on the candidates for the cagub and cawagub candidates for Bengkulu Province, some time ago.

Emex Verzoni in Bengkulu, on Sunday said that he had received information about the death of one of the Bengkulu Pilkada participants, but was still waiting for a death certificate from his heir.

Muslihan is a candidate for deputy governor number 1 paired with Helmi Hasan.

After receiving the death certificate, it will be submitted via LO candidate to Bengkulu Province KPU.

Emex said that regarding the election time, which was only three days away, his party was still waiting for a decision from the center.

"Regarding the technicality, whether it can still replace us, we are waiting for the KPU RI instructions," he said.

For information, according to KPU regulations (PKPU) it is permissible for a coalition of supporting parties to find a replacement for a candidate who has died.

The regulation is stated in Article 78 paragraph (2) letter a, PKPU Number 3 of 2017 concerning Pilkada Candidacy which allows candidates to be replaced if they die.

Muslihan is a Bengkulu figure who has been a regent twice, namely the Regent of Rejang Lebong and the Regent of North Bengkulu. He was also a member of the Regional People's Representative Council (DPRD) DPRD Bengkulu Province and was the Chairman of the DPD Hanura Party Bengkulu Province. Muslihan was born in Bengkulu on August 4, 1946.