KPU: Presidential And Vice Presidential Candidates Accompany Each Other During Debate

Chairman of the KPU Hasyim Asy'ari when giving a statement at the KPU office, Jakarta, Wednesday (6/12/2023). (ANTARA/Rio Feisal)

JAKATA - Chairman of the General Elections Commission (KPU) Hasyim Asy'ari said the presidential candidate (candidate) would fully speak during the special debate of the presidential candidate.

Likewise during the special debate of the vice presidential candidate, the one who will argue fully is the vice presidential candidate.

However, continued Hasyim, the KPU invites every candidate pair (paslon) to discuss in advance before speaking in their respective debates.

"About whether he discussed or did not manage the presidential and vice presidential candidates; the one who spoke during the presidential candidate debate, yes, the presidential candidate spoke. During the vice presidential debate, the one who spoke, yes, the vice presidential candidate," said Hasyim in a press conference after a coordination meeting with the campaign team. three pairs of candidates for the 2024 presidential election in Jakarta reported by ANTARA, Wednesday, December 6.

Hasyim said that in every implementation of the presidential and vice presidential candidates debate later, all candidate pairs will assist each other.

"The point is to attend, the candidate pair is present. Then, regarding whether he will appear accompanied or not, we will discuss how to do it later," he added.

Hasyim reiterated that during the presidential candidate debate, it was only the presidential candidate who was allowed to speak and also the opposite applies. Regarding the position of the presidential candidate, when the vice presidential candidate is arguing, it is next to the vice presidential candidate.

"But, the point is, those who talk can be said to be fully if the presidential candidate debate, yes, fully the presidential candidate. If the vice presidential candidate, fully vice presidential candidate. His name is accompanied, yes, next to him," he said.

Furthermore, the KPU will prepare technical guidelines for the debate in writing and convey it to each candidate pair team.

"Technical guidelines already exist. Later on, about the flow and all kinds of things in 120 minutes, we discussed earlier. Later, in writing, we will technically arrange it and we will convey to each team of candidate pairs so that each pair of candidates prepares everything well," he said.

Hasyim explained that the first, third, and fifth debates were the presidential candidates' debates; while the second and fourth debates were inter-vice debates.

The first debate will be held on December 12 with the theme law, human rights (HAM), government, eradication of corruption, and strengthening democracy.

The second debate was held on December 22 with the theme defense, security, geopolitical, and international relations.

The third debate was held on January 7 with the theme of the people's economy and the digital economy, social welfare, investment, trade, taxes, infrastructure, finance, and management of the state budget.

The fourth debate was on January 21, 2024 with the theme of energy, natural resources, carbon tax, food, environment, and agrarianism as well as indigenous peoples.

Finally, the fifth debate on February 4 carries the theme of information technology, improving public services, hoaxes, intolerance, education, health, and employment.