The Riau Islands KPU Remaps The 2024 Election TPS On Serasan Island After The Landslide Disaster

People with disabilities participate in choosing at the TPS during the Jember Regional Election, December 9, 2020. (ANTARA-HO-Perpenca Jember)

The General Election Commission (KPU) is moving to re-map the polling stations (TPS) for the 2024 General Election on Serasan Island, Natuna, Riau Islands Province (Kapri). The effort follows that Serasan Island was recently hit by a landslide.

"We have started ordering the Natuna Regency KPU to report the condition of residents at the landslide location. The data may only be provided after the condition has recovered," said Riau Islands KPU Chairman Sriwati in Tanjungpinang, Thursday, March 9, as reported by Antara.

Sriwati revealed that the arrangement of the TPS was carried out after the Natuna KPU reported the conditions in Serasan. If residents no longer live in Pangkalan Village, Serasan, then the TPS must be moved according to the residence of the majority of residents. In principle, the determination of the TPS must be easily accessible to voters.

"Based on the information we received, there were two polling stations at the disaster site," he said.

Riau Islands Provincial KPU member Arison added that data collection on voters to determine polling stations. The number of voters in Pangkalan Village is reduced because there are residents who have the right to choose to die.

Until now, joint officers are still looking for victims at the landslide location.

"The ranks of the Natuna Regency KPU will coordinate with field officers after conditions recover," he said.

Arison said that his party would not replace the voter data updating officer (pantarih) in Pangkalan Village who died. This is because the panteralih has completed the task before ending his term of office on February 15, 2023.

"Regarding the members of the voting committee (PPS) for the PPK Secretariat staff who have not been found, we are still waiting for the progress of the search results. We hope to be found in good condition soon," he said.

The Joint Team for Response to the Serasan and East Serasan Disasters reported that it found 21 people dead after being buried by landslides. Meanwhile, 35 other people were reported missing by the family.

Three victims were in critical condition, one of whom died while being taken by ship to Ranai Hospital. Meanwhile, 1,216 victims are still displaced in a number of places prepared by the government.