Bawaslu Affirms ASN And Village Heads Are Prohibited From Being Involved In Election Campaigns

Archives - A Number of State Civil Apparatus (ASN) signed banners during the Public Campaign and Declaration of ASN Neutrality. BETWEEN/Darwin Fatir

JAKARTA - Coordinator of the Division for Handling Violations of the Election Supervisory Body (Bawaslu) of DKI Jakarta Province Benny Sabdo emphasized that campaign activities for election participants are prohibited from involving the State Civil Apparatus (ASN) and village heads.

"Don't involve ASN, including village heads because it's prohibited. They can't join the campaign," said Benny when met at the DKI Jakarta Bawaslu Office, reported by ANTARA, Tuesday, November 28.

In fact, he continued, ASN should also not be involved in the stages before and after the campaign. According to him, the neutrality of ASN and TNI/Polri is very important in order to create equality in the election process.

"They cannot do practical politics. This means that if you want to pursue a position, it is not based on political closeness but must have competence or ability," added Benny.

Then, he said, neutrality between ASN and TNI/Polri is also important so that election democracy runs honestly and fairly.

In addition, Benny also reminded election participants not to do money politics, politicize SARA, and spread hate speech or fake news during the campaign.

"So all candidates should convince voters by offering vision and mission and programs, as well as providing honest, open and dialogical responsible political education. That's a campaign," said Benny.

Benny also ensured that the DKI Jakarta Bawaslu would act decisively if an election violation was found.

On Sunday (26/11), the Indonesian General Elections Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) revealed that it was processing 33 reports of violations after the determination of a fixed candidate list (DCT) related to campaigns outside of the campaign period.

Most recently, the DKI Bawaslu is also gathering evidence of the All-Indonesian Village Government Association (APDESI) being non-neutral by providing support to one of the pairs of presidential and vice-presidential candidates through the activities of the United Village.

Whereas previously, the Acting Governor of DKI Jakarta Heru Budi Hartono reminded that non-neutral ASN in holding the 2024 General Election could be dismissed from their positions.

"Sanctions for ASN who are not neutral are in the form of warnings, then salary delays, continuing to decline, can be dismissed from office. So if he is head of the village, he will be dismissed as head of the village," said Heru, Wednesday (11/22).