KPU: ODGJ In Bengkulu Participates In The 2024 Election With A Doctor's Certificate

Dukcapil Bengkulu saat mendaea KTP elektronik terhadap persons with mental disabilities di wilayah tersebut. ANTARA/Anggi Mayasari

BENGKULU - The Bengkulu General Election Commission (KPU) in Bengkulu Province guarantees voting rights for people with mental disorders (ODGJ) or people with mental disabilities to take part in the 2024 General Election (Pemilu) by including a doctor's certificate. Member of the Data and Information Planning Division of the Bengkulu KPUD Commission, Bambang Meiliansyah, explained that there are special regulations governing the technical implementation of voting at polling stations (TPS) for ODGJ voters who are required to include a doctor's certificate during the voting. "The KPU continues to serve according to regulations, such as a doctor's certificate stating that the condition of the voter concerned can use his voting rights," he said in Bengkulu, Antara, Friday, December 22. This is done, because not all people with mental disabilities can participate in the voting process in the 2024 General Election. The voting process for ODGJ depends on the information from the doctor in charge. He said, for accompanying the voting process, mental persons with disabilities will be carried out in accordance with the recommendations of a doctor or hospital. whether it needs assistance or not. Meanwhile, regarding the data on mental disabilities voters, his party has not been able to confirm it because the health condition of voters with mental disabilities is quite volatile because there are moderate categories and categories of severe mental disorders. So, explained Bambang, the recommendations of doctors or hospitals are very decisive whether on the D day of voting or voting the health condition in question is possible or not to come to the TPS. "Later on February 14, 2024, we will coordinate with hospitals for data collection. If the patient gets a recommendation from the doctor, then that is what we will process moving to choose to use his voting rights at the nearest polling station in the hospital environment," he explained. Meanwhile, for hospitals if and drug dependence (RSJKO) in Bengkulu is not included in the placement of special polling stations, special polling stations are only provided in correctional institutions and detention centers. For people with mental disabilities, it will be carried out at regular polling stations where the person concerned is registered or the nearest TPS.

Previously, KPUD Bengkulu prepared 994 polling stations that were friendly for people with disabilities in the region during the 2024 election. He said, through a disability-friendly TPS, his party provided a place for companions with disabilities from their families when channeling voting rights at the polling station booth.