Members Of Commission II Of The DPR Ask For A Re-Pilkada Date Ahead Of Eid Al-Fitr 2025 To Be Reviewed Again

Illustration of the 2024 General Election and Regional Head Elections at TPS 44, Permata Hijau Lestari Complex, Rappocini, Makassar, South Sulawesi, Wednesday, February 14, 2024. (ANTARA-Darwin Fatir)

JAKARTA - Member of Commission II of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Mohammad Toha, requested that the re-voting (PSU) in 24 regions during Ramadan or before Eid al-Fitr must be reviewed. Because according to him, the holy month is a time to focus on carrying out worship.

"The fasting month is a good month, to increase piety, to behave better, including to choose a good and precise candidate for leader, but if the time interferes with each other's concentration, then it should be postponed," said Toha, Monday, March 3.

It is known that 24 regions will hold PSUs. In detail, 15 PSUs were carried out in all regions, and 9 PSUs were carried out in a number of polling stations. The earliest implementation was scheduled March 26, 2025 for PSUs for all regions in Magetan Regency, East Java, PSU in a number of polling stations in Barito Regency, South Kalimantan, Siak Riau Regency, and recapitulation of money in Puncak Jaya Regency, Central Papua. However, March 26, 2025 coincided with 25 Ramadan 1446 H or H-5 Eid.

According to Toha, this time is not right for PSU. Because according to him, at the end of the fasting month, Muslims must increase their worship and be busy with various needs for Eid al-Fitr celebrations. Including homecoming needs, visiting funerals of parents, family, and other activities.

"In my opinion, the PSU should be postponed in honor of Muslims. Election organizers must review," suggested Toha.

Toha said, PSU will be carried out according to the stages of elections/pilkada, starting from the formation of ad hoc level providers, preparation of logistics, establishment of polling stations, H day voting and calculations that usually take up to a day or night. Also the recapitulation that must be passed in stages with extra time, including now it is still the rainy season.

"PSU, if forced on March 26, 2025, there will be many objects. It is better for the organizers to think again, not to grusa-grusu," he said.

Toha also reminded regarding the availability of the budget. PSU for 14 regions requires IDR 700 billion in funds, plus two re-calibrations in Padangsidimpuan City and Bangka Regency, Bangka Belitung Islands, which are estimated to total to be IDR 1 trillion.

"The funds are quite large, it takes more careful planning and inspection. Do not continue to be highlighted by the KPU and Bawaslu as institutions that waste the state budget," explained Toha.

The former Deputy Regent of Sukoharjo stated that the government is currently carrying out state budget efficiency whose impact has shocked all state institutions as well as the community. He considered that all parties must support the government's efforts to reconstruct the APBN and APBD to prosper the people through the Asta Cita program President Prabowo.

"Of course this takes time, don't let the KPU and Bawaslu have no sensitivity during this transition period, especially since the 2024 election funds which reached Rp 73 trillion have not been thoroughly audited," concluded Toha.