7,224 Ballots In Kulon Progo Were Damaged By The KPU Today

Kulon Progo KPU officers destroyed the damaged ballot. (ANTARA/Sutarmi)

The General Election Commission (KPU) of Kulon Progo Regency, Yogyakarta Special Region (DIY), destroyed 7,224 ballots of the 2024 General Election that were damaged in the logistics warehouse of the former Art Building.

Chairman of KPU Kulon Progo Budi Priyana said the details of the ballots that were destroyed were 1,419 ballots for the Presidential and Vice Presidential Elections (PPWP), 1,694 DPR RI sheets, 1,985 provincial DPRDs, 1,081 district DPRDs, and 1,419 DPD RIs.

"According to KPU Regulation Number 14 of 2024, damaged and excess ballots must be destroyed on D-1 for voting," Budi said in Kulon Progo in a statement, Tuesday, February 13.

He said, there are various ways to destroy ballots that can be used. The destruction of ballots this time was carried out by burning. This provision is in accordance with instructions from the DIY KPU regarding the technical destruction of ballots.

"Usually destroyed by being stretched by engine, but this time by burning," he said.

Budi said all the ballots that were damaged and excess had been reported to the KPU in stages. The damaged ones have been replaced and are in the process of distributing to polling stations (TPS).

The process of destroying ballots is also mandatory to involve witnesses from the police and the Election Supervisory Body (Bawaslu). Related local government officials were also presented.

"After the destruction, the minutes were signed with the witnesses," he said.

Meanwhile, Acting (Pj) Kulon Progo Regent Ni Made Dwipanti Indrayanti said the destruction was necessary to ensure that there was no manipulation during the vote.

This is because, every polling station, the number of excess ballots is also limited to a maximum of two percent of the number of Fixed Voters Lists (DPT).

"We hope that the 2024 General Election in Kulon Progo can run smoothly and peacefully," he concluded.