Bawaslu Reminds Criminal Sanctions For Campaign Elections At Houses Of Worship

DOK ANTARA

MAKASSAR - Bawaslu member Lolly Suhenty again reminded the 2024 election participants not to campaign in houses of worship, especially during Christmas celebrations because they received election criminal sanctions.

"So we always remind you not to do it, because the sanctions are election crimes," said Lolly after opening the launch of the Anti-Hoax Madrasah at the State Aliayah Madrasah School (MAN) 2 Makassar, South Sulawesi, as reported by ANTARA, Thursday, December 21.

He emphasized that the campaign at houses of worship was clearly subject to criminal sanctions, so that Bawaslu continued to remind Election participants, be it pairs of presidential and vice presidential candidates, legislative candidates (Caleg) and candidates for the Regional Representative Council or DPD who competed did not do this.

"It is also important for us at Bawaslu to remind us to pay attention not to commit violations, whether they are election crimes or administrative in nature. Because unfortunately the time for the campaign is only 75 days, if you violate and deal with Bawaslu, the energy is used to face trial," he said.

The Division of Prevention, Community Participation, and Public Relations of Bawaslu emphasized that in the context of places of worship, it is clear that the provisions are prohibited from campaigning, both in churches, mosques, temples and others are clearly prohibited.

Because, in the rules in Article 280 paragraph (1) letter h of Law number 7 of 2017 concerning General Elections, it is stated that implementers, election campaign participants and teams are prohibited from using government facilities, places of worship, and educational places.

Meanwhile, the ban on campaigns in places of worship can be subject to criminal sanctions stipulated in Article 521 of Law Number 7 of 2017 concerning Elections with a maximum imprisonment of two years and a maximum fine of IDR 24 million.

Bawaslu has methods inherent in supervision, including during Christmas and New Year's moments and even other religious celebrations, because it is still often found during the last election period, some are abusing it.

"We also carry out surveillance through the media. Media tracking is carried out, conducting cyber patrols to get quick information, including opening posts. This is so that if friends find allegations of violations of campaigns in places of worship, they can quickly report them to Bawaslu," he said.

Regarding the news in South Sulawesi, there are candidates suspected of campaigning at the church, Lolly said, so far the information has been known.

"There is information, but prevention efforts have been successfully carried out so that it does not happen. For example, currently there are many in South Sulawesi, there is an incident. Currently, the Makassar Bawaslu investigation is being carried out," he said.

This search is important, he said, because Bawaslu when determining whether the incident violates or does not violate, of course must have sufficient data, sufficient information. The results of this search are then studied.

"If Bawaslu fulfills it, it can make it a finding in the register, he processes it. If it does not fulfill it, then it cannot be registered. Currently the process, I also checked earlier that it is still being searched by friends," he said in response to reporters' questions.

Previously, a video circulated of activities at one of the churches that went viral on social media recently seen by a legislative candidate from the Gerindra Party named Aris Titti allegedly campaigning at a church in Makassar City. The video is 1.42 minutes long, he is seen in front of the congregation.