Central Papua Debut In Simultaneous Pilkada

Acting Governor of Central Papua, Anwar Harun Damanik, when voting (doc. Antara).

JAKARTA - Central Papua Province made its debut in the 2024 simultaneous Regional Head Election (Pilkada) on Wednesday, November 27, 2024.

For the first time, the province, which has eight districts, has chosen the governor and deputy governor.

As is known, Central Papua Province was officially established after the formation of the New Autonomous Region (DOB) on November 11, 2024, from the former eight western districts of Papua Province.

No wonder, the 2024 simultaneous regional elections are a historical moment for Central Papua Province. On this debut, Central Papua Province has 1,129,141 Lists of Permanent Voters (DPT) and there are 2,617 polling stations (TPS) spread across eight districts.

Interestingly, according to the Acting (Pj) Governor of Central Papua Province, Anwar Harun Damanik, the voting was carried out using a noken or tie system in six districts. While the remaining two districts use the one man one vote system.

"The six regencies (with a noken system) are Deiyai, Dogiyai, Intan Jaya, Paniai, Puncak, and Puncak Jaya regencies."

"I ask community leaders, traditional leaders, youth leaders, and female figures to talk about choices properly so as to produce trustworthy leaders."

"Meanwhile, two other districts, namely Nabire and Mimika, all available facilities and infrastructure for voting are available."

"For that, let all people come to the TPS because security has been guaranteed by the security forces," said Acting Governor of Central Papua, Anwar Harun Damanik.

Anwar further revealed that today's democratic party is history for Central Papua Province, where the local community has only voted for the first time after the formation of the New Autonomous Region (DOB).

"This selection is important to determine the future of Central Papua for five years," said Anwar.

Meanwhile, in the election of the Governor and Deputy Governor of Central Papua Province, there were four pairs of candidates, namely Wempi-Agustinus, Natalis-Titus, Meki-Deinas, and Willem-Aloisius.

In addition to choosing the Governor and Deputy Governor of Central Papua, the 2024 simultaneous regional elections are also a means for the community to elect the Regent and Deputy Regent in eight districts in Central Papua.

Apart from that, Acting Governor of Central Papua Province Anwar Harun Damanik accompanied by his wife, Yosina Anwar Damanik, became the first and second voting at Pols 05 Kalibobo, Nabire District, Nabire Regency, Central Papua Province.

The two of them came to TPS 05 at around 08.45 WIT wearing white shirts and were greeted by KPPS officers wearing traditional clothes.

"Today is history for us, especially in Central Papua Province, in order to elect candidates for regional heads, namely the Governor and Deputy Governor as well as the Regent and Deputy Regent in eight districts."

"Whom we choose will certainly be our secret. We have been observing the candidates during the campaign and seeing the vision and mission," said Anwar.

For information, in Nabire Regency there are the Mesak Maga-Burhanuddin Pawenari and Martinus Adi-Agus Supriyanto who fight to become the Regent and Deputy Regent.

Shifting to Intan Jaya Regency, there are five pairs of candidates who are participants, namely Aner Maisini-Elias Igapa, Marten Tipagau-Melianus Belau, Badminton Bagau-Tetairus Widigipa, Oni Dendegau-Aguni Tapani, and Bernadus Kobogau-Melianus Agimbau.

Then, in Puncak Regency there are four pairs of candidates, namely Elvis Tabuni-Naftali Akwal, Alus UK Murib-Menas Mayau, Pelinus Balinal-Benner Kulua, and Peniel Waker-Saulinus Murib.

In Puncak Jaya Regency, there are two candidate pairs, namely Yuni Wonda-Mus Kogoya and Miren Kogoya-Mendi Wonorangga.

Then, Pania Regency is inhabited by five candidate pairs, namely Yampit Nawipa-Ham Yogi, Robby Kayame-Hengki Kudiai, Nason Uti-John Deki Yogi, Thomas Yeimo-Yeri Aii, and Autopianus Gobay-Deki Nawipa.

Continuing to Dogiyai Regency, they have the most candidate pairs, six pairs. They are Ruben Magai-Yosep Douw, Yudas Tebai-Yuliten Anouw, Otopianus Petrus Tebai-Angkian, Alfred Fredy Anouw-Orgenes Kotouki, Freny Anouw-Abni Auwe, and Oskar Maaki-Yani Bobi.

Next is Deiyai Regency which has five candidate pairs, namely Melkianus Mort-Ayub Pigome, Aten Edwai-Munaanus Agapa, Kornelis Pakage-Bendiktus Pekei, Petrus Badkapa-Johannes Adi, and Yan Ukago-Stefanus Mote.

Finally, Mimika Regency has three candidate pairs, namely Johannes Rettob-Emanuel Kemong, Maksimus Tipagau-Peggi Patrisia Pattipi, and Alexander Omaleng-Yusuf Rombe.

Central Papua Province has an area of 61,072.91 square km and has an estimated official population of 1,452,810 people in mid-2023. This province has thousands of cities in Wanggar District, Nabire Regency.