KPU Asked To Move TPS Prone To Volcano Eruption In North Sulawesi

Illustration of the 2024 Simultaneous Pilkada (ANTARA)

The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) hopes that the General Elections Commission (KPU) will make options for alternative polling stations outside the disaster-prone area (KRB) of volcanic eruptions in North Sulawesi.

"Currently there are four volcanoes whose status has been raised from level II alert to level III alert or a total of 7 level III volcanoes," said Head of PVMBG, Geological Agency of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Hadi Wijaya, quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, November 19.

He said, Of the seven volcanoes that were already on standby, one of them was Mount Awu in Sangihe Islands Regency, whose volcanic activity had already been increased.

Meanwhile, the two mountains whose status was raised last week were Mount Lokon in Tomohon City, and Mount Karangetang in Sitaro Islands Regency.

When it is raised, he said, there could be a potential for an eruption that could hinder the implementation of the 2024 regional head election (pilkada) in North Sulawesi.

According to Hadi Wijaya, this condition needs to be carefully considered by the organizers so that the implementation of the regional elections can run.

"We hope that there will be an alternative polling options outside KRB II, inside KRB III. So the location is far from reach in the event of an eruption," added Hadi Wijaya.

He also hopes that residents will continue to comply with the hazard radius recommended by PVMBG, the Geological Agency to minimize the impact in the event of an eruption.

Last week, Mount Lokon and Mount Karangetang were raised to alert status after a significant increase in seismic activity.