KPU Prepares Scheme If Empty Box Wins 2024 Pilkada

Acting Chairman of KPU Mochammad Afifuddin (ANTARA/Ricky Prayoga)

Acting Chairman of KPU Mochammad Afifuddin explained that his party had discussed the scheme until the prepared budget if the empty box that won the 2024 Pilkada in 41 regions only had single candidates.

"Today we have discussed the budget and KPU records. So far there are 41 temporary singles, but later we will see the determination. After two points there are re-registered. Of course, apart from the single candidate pair, there must be results that we will convey on September 22, whether the determination of the candidate meets the requirements and verification," Afif said as quoted by ANTARA, Wednesday, September 11.

If there is a single candidate, there will be no number draw in the ballot, and in the existing ballot, only a picture of the candidate pair side by side with the empty box to vote.

If the result is that the empty box will win, said Afif, it will be decided for further elections or follow-up which will be carried out in 2025.

"The next election will be carried out next year. It has been included in the PKPU based on recapitulation and determination. If the empty box wins, then the next Pilkada will not be five years but a year," said Afif.

The follow-up Pilkada stage will be reconsidered and simulated by the KPU. Meanwhile, the financing will be borne by the APBD.

"Later, whether the Pilkada is 11 months or what, we will simulate it first as the result of this meeting. The financing if the Pilkada is supported by the APBD, but if it is seen in the law, it can be assisted or supported by the APBN as well," said Afif.

Regarding budgeting, said Afif, it is also a concern for his party considering that when the implementation of the 2025 Pilkada, the budgeting process for the democratic process will be completed in 2024.

"So we will coordinate the best. Yes, this is the APBD, except for new autonomous areas such as in Papua the expansion of all from the APBN," he said.

Afif also emphasized that regarding the Pilkada logistics, everything is being processed with the hope that it will take a short time, and it is only a matter of waiting for the next stage, namely the determination of the candidate pair on September 22, 2024, then on September 25, 2024, the campaign will begin simultaneously.

Regarding the issue of KPU neutrality, when asked whether any KPU members were suspected of winning a single candidate, he made sure that this would not happen.

"Nothing, nothing. Everything is in accordance with all the rules. All of these Pilkada events should not be worried, afraid, until they feel intimidated. Both parties, candidates, and organizers must be directed to celebrate happily and without violations," he said.