KPU Explains The COVID-19 Protocol At The 2020 Pilkada TPS

Illustrations (Irfan Meidianto / VOI)

JAKARTA - The General Election Commission (KPU) is drafting a KPU regulation (PKPU) that regulates the technical implementation of the 2020 Pilkada by implementing health protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the most crucial stages of a pilkada is election day at the polling station.

KPU commissioner Ilham Saputra said that voting day requires most personal protective equipment. Because, it will involve many people in the implementation of this voting.

"The principle is that we will implement a strict COVID-19 protocol. Bawaslu also supervises our officers who apply the COVID-19 protocol. Is there any physical distancing, whether using masks, face shields, etc. We will regulate this in our PKPU, "Ilham said in a virtual discussion, Sunday, June 28.

Although PKPU has not yet been ratified, Ilham hopes that on voting day there will be an application of health protocols, such as each polling organizing group (KPPS) wearing a mask and face shield.

Then, the KPU also prepared hand sanitizers and masks at each TPS for voters who came to the TPS. As well as checking the temperature of the voters before voting.

"For example, if there are voters whose temperature is checked, then the temperature is more than 38 degrees Celsius, then we will create a special TPS at each TPS for them to vote and we order them to return to their place (their respective homes)," said Ilham.

Then, the KPU will provide plastic for each voter, in order to minimize the spread of the corona virus when they hold nails to punch ballots.

"Every now and then, we spray the nails using a disinfectant so that they are continuously sterile. Also about the ink, we use ink drops so that they are not dipped, because we are worried that there will be problems with such a model," said Ilham.

Furthermore, reflecting on the condition of the previous election, most voters came at 10.00-11.00 local time, even though the polling stations had been open since 08.00 am. This creates a buildup of voters at these times.

"We also arrange in such a way that voters do not come at the same time or at conditions where they usually come later, usually at the most crowded. Just wait for the mechanism of those who enter the TPS and how they queue at the TPS," he said.

Expectations for voter participation

Ilham did not deny that there were concerns that voter participation would decrease due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, in this election, the KPU is targeting 77.5 percent of all registered voters to cast their votes at the TPS.

Therefore, the KPU asked political parties and candidates for regional heads in 270 regions to also try to socialize public participation in the 2020 Pilkada, apart from campaigning.

"Come on, ladies and gentlemen in this election have an interest in the presence of the community, the issue of participation is not only the responsibility of the KPU. If the KPU is of course implementing it our way in accordance with the existing laws and regulations," explained Ilham.

"We will disseminate voter education, by going into the field, volunteering for democracy, socializing in the field, ensuring that people watch socialization videos about the protocol like this, they are not allowed to come flocking," he added.