Voters Are Reminded To Obey The Prohibition Rules For Bringing Cellphones To Voice Views

Officers raised a ballot box containing election logistics during distribution at Gudang II of the Independent Election Commission (KIP) of Banda Aceh City, Aceh Province, Tuesday (13/2/2024). ANTARA/Khalis Surry

BANDA ACEH - The Independent Election Commission (KIP) of Banda Aceh City asked voters in the area of the capital city of Aceh Province to comply with the prohibition rules for bringing cellphones (HP) or cell phones into ballot booths as an effort to maintain confidentiality when voting rights in the 2024 election.

Banda Aceh City KIP chairman Yusri Razali said the ban on bringing mobile phones into ballot booths was regulated in article 25 of KPU Regulation Number 25 of 2023, which states that it is prohibited to carry or use cellphones or other recording equipment in ballot booths.

"So it cannot be brought or used. That's why we have ordered the City of Banda Aceh to have a depository place on the desk of KPPS officers. If you bring the cellphone to the TPS, you can do it, which cannot be put into the sound booth," he said.

He explained that voters are included in the polling station (TPS), so they first register themselves, then queue in the waiting area chair.

When summoned to enter the ballot booth, he said, the officers would ask the voters to leave their cell phones or other recording devices on the officer's desk, after which five types of ballots were given to vote.

"After voting in the ballot booth, then take the cellphone again, put one of the fingers in the ink, just left the polling station," he said.

KIP Banda Aceh has also installed posters calling for a ban on using or carrying mobile phones in ballot booths at each polling station.

According to him, carrying a cell phone or other recording device in a ballot booth has the potential for money politics because a voter is suspected of documenting it as an excuse to take something promised by a promising one.

Therefore, he said, KIP Banda Aceh appealed to residents who already have the right to vote to obey the rules, not to enter, document or record anything that happens in the ballot booth.

"If caught, there will be sanctions. So leaking information on our voting rights to others can be fined and can also be imprisoned for a maximum of 12 months," he said.

KIP Banda Aceh will vote at 618 polling stations spread across 90 gampongs in nine sub-districts in Banda Aceh.