Entering Level 2 PPKM, OKI Sumsel Regency Government Holds Pilkades In 156 Villages, 446 Candidates Are Ready To Be Chosen

Simultaneous implementation of Pilkades in Ogan Komering Ilir Regency, South Sumatra (ANTARA/HO-OKI Regency Government)

SUMSEL - The Ogan Komering Ilir (OKI) Regency Government, South Sumatra, held simultaneous village head elections (Pilkades) in 156 villages today. Pilkades was held under strict health protocols.

Deputy Regent of OKI HM Dja'far Shodiq said that this Pilkades was attended by 446 village head candidates with a total number of voters reaching 269,998 people who used 641 polling stations.

"We, the regional government ensure that the implementation of health protocols is carried out strictly, starting with spraying disinfectants, providing hand washing facilities, setting the distance for waiting chairs, giving disposable gloves to voters, to distributing voter arrival hours," Shodiq said as quoted by Antara, Tuesday, October 12.

To anticipate security vulnerabilities and threats, the OKI Regency Government together with the TNI and Polri have prepared as many as 2,081 joint personnel on duty at each polling station.

The Pilkades in the OKI Regency is the second in the country after the postponement of the implementation of the Pilkdes and Inter-Time Elections (PAW) during the pandemic.

Director General of Village Administration, Yusharto Huntoyungo, while monitoring the implementation of the virtual village election at TPS I, Awal Terusan Village, Sirah Island, Padang District, said that the simultaneous Pilkades in the OKI had previously been delayed for two months.

After being postponed, the Pilkades implementation could be carried out due to a decrease in the status of the PPKM zone in Ogan Komering Ilir which until today is at level 2.

To the OKI Regional Government, Yusharto asked to remain vigilant against the COVID-19 pandemic and to encourage all Village Governments to continue to strengthen micro PPKM through optimizing the role of village posts and encouraging the implementation of 5M.

Meanwhile, Dandim 0402 OKI Regency Lt. Col. Czi Zamroni said the TNI provided security support in areas prone to simultaneous Pilkades.

"The vulnerability is at the time of counting. For that we provide support for the troops who are alerted by each Koramil," said the Dandim.