Bawaslu: President May Campaign, As Long As It Is In Accordance With Election Rules

Bawaslu member Lolly Suhenty (second right) in a press conference at the Bawaslu office, Jakarta, Wednesday (20/11/2024). ANTARA/Donny Aditra

JAKARTA - Bawaslu memberLolly Suhenty emphasized that the President may campaign in the momentum of the election, as long as it does so in accordance with applicable election regulations.

Lolly said Article 70 paragraph (2) of the Law on Election in conjunction with the Decision of the Constitutional Court Number 52 /PUU-XXII / 2024 states that state officials such as the President can participate in the campaign by applying for a campaign permit in accordance with the provisions of the legislation, including having to comply with the provisions in its implementation.

"The first provision is not to use facilities in their positions, except for security facilities for state officials as stipulated in the provisions of the legislation," said Lolly as quoted by ANTARA, Wednesday, November 20.

Lolly said this was related to a short video showing Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto inviting Central Java residents to support Ahmad Luthfi-Taj Yasin's pair in the 2024 Central Java Governor and Deputy Governor Election.

He explained that the second provision in the article states that state officials or the President must also undergo leave outside the responsibility of the state.

With these two provisions, the President as a state official is allowed to participate in the campaign, but with terms and restrictions as stipulated in the regulation.

Apart from the regulation, he continued, the provisions regarding the President's participation in the campaign were also emphasized in Article 3 paragraph (1) PP 32/2018 which was amended by PP 53/2023 concerning Procedures for Resignation in the Candidacy of Members of the DPR, DPD, President, and Vice President as well as Leave in the Implementation of Election Campaigns.

"The provisions of Article 36 PP 53/2023 state that holidays are free days to carry out election campaigns outside the provisions of leave," he said.

Bawaslu stated that President Prabowo Subianto did not violate campaign regulations related to short videos when inviting Central Java residents to support Ahmad Luthfi-Taj Yasin's pair in the 2024 Central Java Governor and Deputy Governor Election. This is because the video was made on Sunday (3 November 2024) or holiday.

In addition, uploading videos on November 9, 2024 or during the span of the election campaign schedule through social media, from September 25 to November 23, 2024, so that based on time it does not violate the provisions.