Indonesian Citizens In Washington DC Vote For Election On February 10, 2024

ILLUSTRATION OF DOK VOI

JAKARTA - Chairman of the Washington DC Election Committee (PPLN) Andang Purnama said Indonesian citizens in Washington will hold the 2024 General Election on February 10, 2024 at the official residence of the Indonesian Ambassador in Washington.

Andang said the date was agreed by PPLN in North America on the grounds that Indonesian citizens worked on February 14.

"Most of them work and when they work, access to come to the Indonesian Embassy or come to polling stations is a bit difficult... so the committee decided to hold elections on the 10th," said Andang as quoted by ANTARA, Wednesday, December 20.

For the vote count, Andang said that PPLN in North America agreed to carry out a vote count on February 14, 2024 at the Indonesian Embassy in Washington DC.

He also said that the Permanent Voter List (DPT) recorded as of June 21, 2023 was 1,700 voters covering three regions, namely Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia.

A total of 1,700 voters consisted of 1,227 voters (491 men, 736 women) who decided to come to TPS and 473 voters (168 men, 305 women) who decided to vote through the post.

Andang said that voters were told that they could choose in three ways, namely voting by coming directly to the TPS, choosing through a postal letter or choosing with a Mobile Voice Box (KSK).

"There is no request (to vote with KSK) from the community, so we (PPLN Washington) do not provide it," said Andang, adding that sending ballots via post would be carried out in early January 2024.

Andang said that PPLN will prioritize voters with disabilities, those who are sick, pregnant women and senior citizens with special needs.

The chairman of PPLN Washington DC said the ballot had arrived at the Indonesian Embassy in Washington and had been handed over to PPLN witnessed by Panwaslu, a staff member of the Indonesian Embassy on Tuesday (19/12).

In addition, election logistics preparations are also going well, saying ballot boxes have been prepared, office equipment and administrative technical equipment have been available and cameras have been installed in the PPLN Secretariat room which can be accessed 24 hours by PPLN.

When asked about the problem of socializing the 2024 General Election, Andang said there were no significant obstacles other than the faster registration time for DPTLN compared to registration in 2019.

"The 2019 election registration will be closed in September 2018 while the 2024 General Election registration will be closed in June 2023," said Andang.