Cakada Safari Politics Before Campaign Period, KPU: There Are Institutions That Supervise

Chairman of the Indonesian KPU Mochammad Afifuddin when giving a statement to the media crew at the Indonesian KPU Office, Jakarta, Monday (9/9/2024). ANTARA/Narda Margaretha Sinambela.

Chairman of the Indonesian KPU Mochammad Afifuddin said there were already authorities to take action if they found candidates for regional heads (cakada) who carried out political safaris before entering the campaign period.

"Yes, of course, if it is part of the campaign there is a limit, there is a definition, what is the campaign period, when activities are carried out outside the campaign period. So surely we will argue about whether it is a campaign or socialization? Now these restrictions are strict and there are institutions that have the authority to then take action if indeed what these candidates are doing is considered a campaign," Afif said at the KPU RI Office, Jakarta, Monday, September 9, which was confiscated by Antara.

He admitted that he respects the socialization efforts made by prospective pairs of candidates (bapaslon) even though they have not been officially designated as candidate pairs (paslon).

"In the context of socialization in our process, what is certain is that we want elections, regional elections, simultaneously simultaneously, the nuances are joy, if there are things that are considered violating, of course, let institutions that have the authority to take action against them," he said.

In addition, Afif appealed to the candidate pairs to comply with the predetermined rules. He also asked that not all burdens be thrown at the KPU.

"It is impossible for all of these burdens to be given to us at the KPU. Of course, in the context of activities that come to voters before the campaign period is neutral, we must see that it is part of the socialization, if it is considered part of the campaign, then we must return to the article on whether the campaign definition, whether the conditions are fulfilled when the activity is called campaign," Afif added.

"Well, my friends may be able to check, confirm to Bawaslu friends whether the category is a campaign outside the schedule, or not a campaign or whatever the name is, what is certain is that we want the public to know more and be aware of our regional elections, about our candidates, so that when it comes to excitement and participation will be high, it will certainly really help the KPU," he concluded.

The following is the schedule for the 2024 Pilkada:

1. February 27 November 16, 2024: Notification and registration of election monitor;2. April 24 May 31, 2024: Submission of a list of potential voters;3. May 5 August 19, 2024: Fulfillment of the support requirements for individual candidate pairs; 4. May 31 September 23, 2024: Updating and compiling of voter lists;5. August 24, 2024: Announcement of candidate pair registrations;6. 27 August 29, 2024: Registration of candidate pairs; 7. August 27 September 21, 2024 : Research of candidate requirements; 8. September 22, 2024: Determination of candidate pairs; 9. September 25 November 23, 2024: campaign implementation; 10. November 27, 2024: voting implementation; and 11. November 27 December 16, 2024: vote count and vote count.