Responding To Megawati's Criticism Of Elections, KPU Calls It In Accordance With The Rules

General Election Commission Building (ANTARA)

The General Elections Commission (KPU) responded to the criticism of the General Chairperson of the PDI-P (PDIP) Megawati Soekarnoputri regarding the direction of the 2024 General Election which had shifted due to intimidation.

The KPU ensures that the implementation of the 2024 General Election is in accordance with the rules in the applicable law (UU).

This was conveyed by the Coordinator of the KPU Technical Division, Idham Holik, after attending the "Trial of Three PKPU Drafts" at the KPU Building, Jakarta, Thursday, January 11.

"As election organizers, of course, we are mandated to implement election laws and other related regulations," said Idham.

Regarding Megawati's criticism, Idham also emphasized that the 2024 General Election was already on track, aka perpendicular to the rules.

He stated, in the law, the KPU provides the widest possible space for the community to participate. For example, Article 22E in the 1945 Constitution (UUD) which explains that election principles must be carried out directly, in general, free, secret, honest, and fair every five years.

"Good democracy has a great participation from the community, especially since the KPU initially emphasized that let's create together participatory elections," he said.

Previously, Megawati said that the current direction of the election had shifted from upholding the interests of the people, now turning into a power struggle. He conveyed this to the 51st Anniversary of the PDIP, Wednesday, January 10.

"That power is not lasting, it is what is above. Power will stop, whatever position it is. Recently, it seems that my election direction has shifted, there is people's anxiety due to intimidation," said Megawati.

In addition, the 5th president of the Republic of Indonesia also poked at election organizers such as the KPU and the Election Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu). He considered that the two institutions had not worked properly.

"This is also for the KPU, Bawaslu, please do the right work. I read on the street that there are billboards, democratic elections, where I see honest, fair, overflowing, direct, general, free. Now this is free and secret, so it is not guided, please," added Megawati.