Propose PCR Test For 2020 Pilkada Implementing Officers In The Pagebluk Period Of COVID-19

General election illustration (Mohamed_Hassan / Pixabay)

JAKARTA - The government will continue to carry out the 2020 Pilkada during the early days of COVID-19. All parties want the 2020 Pilkada to run well and be safe from the spread of the corona virus.

Therefore, the Chairperson of the Association of All Indonesian Hospitals (PERSI) Kuntjoro Purjanto suggested that there should be a virus testing test for 2020 Pilkada organizers.

Kuntjoro asked the government to carry out testing using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method instead of a rapid test. The reason is, the rapid test is not a testing method for diagnosing COVID-19 but rather functions to filter out the presence of IgM and IgG antibodies produced by the body when exposed to the Corona virus. The reactive results in this test, said Kuntjoro, cannot be used as a determinant for someone who is positive for COVID-19.

"Therefore, it is important to carry out a PCR test that will confirm the results of the rapid test. Until now, the PCR test is considered the most accurate diagnostic test to determine whether a person has COVID-19 or not," said Kuntjoro in a webinar entitled 'Safe Pilkada. COVID-19 and Democracy ', Wednesday 17 June.

For the sake of a safe and free election from the corona virus, he also reminded the government of the importance of disseminating health protocols to the public, especially voters. To carry out this outreach, all parties must collaborate.

"Time is important. Do not let the golden time to give results be passed," he said.

Meanwhile, the Association of Regional Hospitals throughout Indonesia (Arsada) suggested that the General Election Commission (KPU) and the Regional General Election Commission (KPUD) should make rules governing the authority of the education sector in organizing regional elections. "Thus, everything is based on law. There must be a Decree," said Chairman of the Arsada Advisory Board, Slamet Riyadi Yuwono on the same occasion.

"The standard which is called healthy must also have a legal basis and be determined by the KPU," he added.

In addition, they suggested an evaluation of the level of spread of COVID-19 in each region. This is because each region has different conditions. After evaluating, the government is expected to be able to implement appropriate health protocols in the area during the Pilkada.

Meanwhile, Secretary General Arsada Khafifah Any said this evaluation had to be carefully regulated by the government in accordance with the conditions of the COVID-19 outbreak in December. So, he asked the government to really listen to the epidemiologist's advice.

The goal is that the anticipation regarding health management during the Pilkada will properly cut the spread of the corona virus in the community. "Whether the conditions in December all areas are safe, or are they still in red, green, and other zones, depends on the expert's assessment. So that the anticipation of Pilkada health management can be carried out properly," said Khafifah.

Two indicators of the success of the pilkada during the mid-term

The Special Staff of the Minister of Home Affairs, Kastorius Sinaga, who participated in the webinar, said there were 2 indicators to say that the 2020 Pilkada was successfully held during the COVID-19 period.

"The first indicator is the enthusiasm of the people to vote which is shown by the increased voter participation," said Kastorius.

While the second indicator is the implementation of the 2020 Pilkada which is safe from the transmission of COVID-19.

"This means that the success of the elections is a combination of increasing voter participation on the one hand, and decreasing or stabilizing the COVID-19 curve on the other," he said.

He said the success of holding the 2020 Pilkada could be a good reputation for Indonesia in the eyes of the world. Provided, when it is held, public participation remains high even though there is a COVID-19 outbreak and is able to follow health protocols.

Kastorius described the experience of South Korea holding elections on April 15. According to him, at that time, South Korean voter participation reached 62 percent.

This figure, he continued, became the highest election participation rate for the last 30 years. On this basis, the Indonesian government made South Korea a reference for the implementation of the regional head elections in the early morning period. This is because the State of Gingseng has successfully held an election event without causing a new cluster of the spread of COVID-19.

Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian, continued Kastorius, had a meeting with the South Korean Ambassador some time ago. During the meeting, he said, the Minister of Home Affairs heard an explanation that elections could still be held at midnight.

Provided, prior to implementation, the government succeeds in convincing the public, contestants and election administrators that the activity will not threaten safety and health with the application of the correct protocol.

"To ensure that, of course, it is hoped that credible elements of society will be involved in the health protocol, in this case doctors and hospitals," he said.

Pilkada schedule

Previously, the General Election Commission (KPU) set the stages for the 2020 Pilkada in 270 regions during the COVID-19 event.

For the schedule, the KPU has resumed the stages of holding the Pilkada simultaneously since Monday, June 15 by forming a District Election Committee (PPK) and the inauguration of the Voting Committee (PPS) in the regions that will hold regional head elections.

Subsequently, Regency / Municipal KPU again compiles Voters List by Regency / Municipal KPU and submits it to PPS and Voting Organizing Group (KPPS).

Then, the KPU set a period for updating the Provisional Voters List (DPS) to the determination of the Final Voters List (DPT) from 15 June to 6 December.

Then, on September 4-6, the KPU will officially open the registration stage for prospective regional head candidates and the determination will be carried out on September 23.

After that, the campaign stages will start on September 26 to December 5 or 71 days. The KPU will divide the campaign period for the regional head candidates into three phases. First, limited meeting campaigns, face-to-face meetings, dialogue, dissemination of campaign materials to the public, installation of props, and / or other activities.

In the second phase, the KPU will conduct a public debate between candidate pairs as part of the campaign. The third phase of the KPU will open the campaign for regional head candidates through mass, print, and electronic media from November 22 to December 5.

Prior to voting on December 9, the campaign will end with a quiet period that will take place on December 6 to 8.