KPU: Political Parties Can Transfer Support In Regions Whose Candidates Are Single

KPU chairman Mochammad Afifuddin (center) with KPU Members August Mellaz (left) and Idham Holik (right)/ANTARA

The KPU stated that political parties (political parties) that had registered the candidate pair for regional head candidates could withdraw their support and transfer them to other couples while in the area there was only one candidate or single candidate.

KPU member Idham Holik explained that there are several steps to overcome single candidates, including providing opportunities for political parties to rearrange the composition of their support, so that there will be other candidate pairs who register during the registration period being extended on September 2, 2024.

"In one area with only candidates, there are political parties that do not exceed the threshold for obtaining valid votes as required in the regulations, we invite political parties that have joined the single candidate to rethink whether they will carry other candidates, we welcome that," said Idham as reported by ANTARA, Friday, August 30.

According to him, the opportunity was given because the KPU was committed to encouraging regions so that there were no single candidates during the nomination process in the 2024 Pilkada.

"But, if you reach the deadline for extending registration, there is still one candidate or single candidate, of which the political party that has not registered and does not meet the threshold, it turns out that it cannot be registered, it doesn't matter," said Idham.

The reason is that unlike the presidential election (pilpres), political parties that do not carry out the pairs of candidates for regional heads will not be sanctioned in the 2024 Pilkada.

Then, another step to overcome the single candidate, Idham said that the KPU also invited individual candidate pairs, namely those who used an independent route to register.

"During this extension period (personal candidates) can register. So, Article 135 (PKPU Number 10 of 2024) regulates such conditions," said Idham.

KPU chairman Mochamad Afifuddin in the same press conference session said there were 48 regions that so far have single candidates. In detail, he continued, there is one province, namely in West Papua, then in five cities and 42 districts.

Therefore, the Regional KPU in these areas again held socialization from August 30 to September 1, 2024 to attract people running for office during the registration period which was extended to September 4, 2024.