Mahfud MD: Don't Be Careless, Keep The Situation Conducive To The Election Of The Regional Head Election

JAKARTA - The Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs (Menko Polhukam) Mahfud MD asked the 2020 Pilkada Simultaneous organizers and related parties to maintain a conducive situation until the Pilkada voting took place on December 9.

"In the next 12 days, we should not let our guard down, we will take good care so that the situation remains conducive. We have to make sure that the calm period of 6-8 December is completely calm, ”said Mahfud while chairing the analysis and evaluation meeting of the Simultaneous Pilkada stages at the Kemenko Polhukam Jakarta office, quoted by Antara, Monday, November 23.

The meeting was attended by Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian, KPU Chairman Arief Budiman, Head of Bawaslu Abhan, TNI Commander Marshal TNI Hadi Tjahjanto, National Police Chief General Idham Azis, Head of BIN Budi Gunawan, and Head of BNPB Doni Monardo, as well as governors who were present via video conference facilities.

Apart from emphasizing the importance of maintaining the situation and security, Mahfud also reminded that health protocols should be implemented during the Pilkada. Likewise with logistics distribution, it must be ensured that it arrives on time and safely.

"The possibility of crowds is fully anticipated, in order to avoid the accumulation of people by adjusting the hours and schedules for people to vote," said Mahfud.

In the meeting, KPU Chairman Arief Budiman also reported to the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs related to developments and also preparations for the simultaneous Pilkada implementation, especially regarding the arrangement of arrival hours which were divided into 5 groups.

The KPU has carried out simulations both in voting and during vote counting in 104 city districts and several other places.

"So, the number of DPT in the TPS will be divided into five groups, the first group at 07.00-08.00 am, the second group at 08.00-09.00 am, and so on until the last 12.00 to 13.00 noon," said Arief.

In addition to explaining the schedule, the Chairman of the KPU also informed the level of voter participation which was considered quite encouraging from the simulation results, namely 75-77 percent.

Regarding violations of health protocols during the campaign period, the Head of Bawaslu, Abhan, reported that 1,763 violations have been recorded, of which 1,210 were subject to written warnings and 168 others were subject to dissolution.

Virtually, TNI Commander Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto also explained his readiness to help carry out the simultaneous regional elections this year, especially in assisting the government and the COVID-19 Handling Task Force. The TNI Commander hopes that the community can carry out a peaceful democratic party.

"The TNI is also helping the regional government and regional KPU, by inviting community leaders in the regions, to urge all people to carry out democratic parties in a mature manner, not to be affected by provocation and to maintain national unity and integrity," said Hadi.