2 Manokwari DPRD Candidates Died, KPU: Voice Letter Can't Be Changed Again

KPPS officers compiled ballots in a simulation of the 2024 General Election voting and counting at the East Jakarta KPU Office, 18 December 2023. (ANTARA FOTOM Adimaja)

WEST PAPUA - General Election Commission (KPU) Manokwari, West Papua Province revealed that two legislative candidates (caleg) for the Manokwari Regency DPRD were declared dead.

Head of the Technical and Organizing Division of the Manokwari KPU, Sidarman, said the two legislative candidates had been assigned to the permanent candidate list (DCT) in the 2024 General Election.

"Towards this election, we received information that at the end of 2023 there were two legislative candidates who had been determined in DCT to die," he said in Manokwari, West Papua, Tuesday, January 9, which was confiscated by Antara.

He said the two legislative candidates who died came from two different parties, but both were in the same electoral district (dapil), namely electoral district 4.

Even though the Manokwari KPU had received the news verbally, he said, according to the rules of the Manokwari KPU, he was still waiting for an official notification letter from the political parties (political parties) from the two legislative candidates.

"We have communicated to political parties to immediately officially send them to the Manokwari KPU to convey and complete the administration of death and so on," he said, without mentioning the name of the political party.

He added, after the Manokwari KPU received an official letter from the political party, the KPU would then convey to the Voting Organizing Group (KPPS) in electoral district 4 to announce on voting day that two legislative candidates had died.

"Because ballots cannot be changed again, because their names have been printed, even the logistics of the Manokwari candidates are already in shipment here," he explained.

He said, with the announcement, supporters of the two legislative candidates could choose the other legislative candidates. However, if the two legislative candidates who have died continue to vote, then the votes will enter the votes of the political parties.

"The steps that can be taken by the KPU are only in accordance with applicable laws. Likewise, if there are legislative candidates, they will be announced on voting day," he said.