Mahfud MD: Come To The TPS, Choose A Good Leader

Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs (Menko Polhukam) Mahfud MD (Photo: polhukam.go.id)

JAKARTA - The Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs (Menko Polhukam) Mahfud MD asked the public to come to the polling stations (TPS) in the 2020 Pilkada which was held on Wednesday, December 9. People in areas holding regional head elections must vote to elect the best regional head.

"Today, December 9, come to the polling station. Give your vote to elect your leader, to elect your regional head. Choose a good leader," Mahfud said in a video statement received by reporters on Wednesday, December 9.

The former Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court (MK) said it was this public voice that would determine their own fate. "Because in the next five years, whether or not the region will be determined by your choice today. Therefore, use your right to vote as well as possible," he said.

Furthermore, Mahfud then reminded the public to continue to pay attention to health protocols when voting. In addition, when voting, all rules that have been made by the General Election Commission (KPU) must be followed.

"It must be remembered, guard and implement health protocols. Wear a mask, keep your distance, wash your hands with soap, and vote as well as possible according to the health protocol rules set by the KPU," he said.

"Hopefully, on 9 in the afternoon or 10 in the morning, we all know the results of the elections, even though they are official, the official announcement still has to wait some time," Mahfud added.

Previously, the 2020 Pilkada which will be held on Thursday, December 9 will be held in 9 provinces, 224 regencies and 37 cities.

Regarding the implementation of voting, many new things will be discovered by people holding the right to vote at polling stations (TPS) and have been designed by the General Election Commission (KPU) to prevent the occurrence of COVID-19 transmission during the voting process.

As shown on the KPU RI YouTube account, there are a number of new regulations in implementing safe voting for COVID-19 and must be followed by voters. First, voters who come to polling stations (TPS) are required to wear masks. Next, voters must maintain a safe distance.

Third, voters are required to wash their hands when they arrive at the TPS, when going to vote, and after voting at the hand washing facilities that have been provided.

Fourth, before entering the TPS, voters will have their body temperature measured. Voters with a high body temperature or more than 37.3 degrees Celsius will be invited to vote in a special voting booth.

Fifth, in order to prevent transmission through touch, voters are required to wear plastic gloves provided by the TPS committee when voting. Sixth, different from an ordinary year, in the midst of this pandemic, people will no longer dip their fingers in election ink but just drop a drop.

Seventh, the number of voters in one polling station will be limited to 500 people and the entire polling officer group (KPPS) will be required to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) in the form of a mask, face shield or face shield, and gloves to prevent transmission.

The eighth rule, there should be no crowds or physical contact at the polling stations, including shaking hands and others.

Ninth, in order to prevent exposure to the virus, each TPS will be sprayed with disinfectants periodically.

Finally, the voting hours of the voters will be set and this will be stated in the Voting Notification Letter. Through this letter, there will be information on voting time and an appeal for voters to wear masks, bring pens, and personal identities such as KTPs and KTP Recording Certificates. The 2020 Pilkada voting schedule on December 9 will start tomorrow at 07.00-13.00 local time.