Residents enjoying activities at the Car-Free Day event around the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle in Jakarta, Sunday (16/4), take photos and put their signatures on a long piece of fabric. The activity, sponsored by the Forum of Jakarta Residents who Love Peace, invited people to help maintain public order during the second round of the Jakarta Gubernatorial Electionand called for strict action against any violations during the election.
The second round of the Jakarta gubernatorial election, which will be held on Wednesday, April 19, 2017, has entered the quiet period between April 16 and April 18, 2017.
A total of over 7.2 million residents of Jakarta are entitled to use their right to vote. There are two candidates who will attract the sympathy of people in Jakarta, namely incumbent pair Basuki Tjahaja Purnama-Djarot Saiful Hidayat and the pair of former education and culture minister Anies R. Baswedan and businessman Sandiaga S. Uno.
We hope the three-day cooling off period runs smoothly so that on April 19, the residents can freely use their political right. There should be no fear. Choosing a leader is a constitutional right guaranteed by the constitution.
It is the task of general elections organizers, the Jakarta General Elections Commission and the Jakarta General Elections Supervisory Board to ensure that the political right of Jakarta citizens is implemented. It should also be the duty of the election organizers to remove campaign banners with messages that tend to cause an uncomfortable mood. The police and the military are in charge of preparing a secure situation and condition of the capital of the nation.
We appreciate the statement of President Joko Widodo, who expects a Democratic Party to operate free from any intimidation. With regard to differences in preference, the President said such will always be the case. However, the President invited all Indonesian people to appreciate and respect each other.
A similar message was delivered by Gerindra Party chairman Prabowo Subianto who hoped the Jakarta gubernatorial elections would be free from intimidation and stay calm. Prosperous Justice Party President Mohamad Sohibul Imam also hoped that all parties would be disciplined and responsible during the quiet period and not perform any acts of intimidation in regard to candidate choices (Kompas, April 16, 2017).
We encourage Jakarta residents -- who have the right to vote -- to use their right in line with their conscience; a choice based on considerations for a better Jakarta and Indonesia, respect on diversity and human rights. Whatever the result of the Jakarta gubernatorial election, a free and fair election has to be accepted as a victory for the citizens of Jakarta.
The results of the election on April 19 will be the result of the census of Jakarta residents. A number of polling institutions have issued their results and predicted the competition will be tight. The psychological situation of the citizens is also reflected in the survey results.
Therefore, make April 19 a day when Jakarta residents can freely choose the leader they want. Will they continue to support Basuki-Djarot or transfer it to Anies-Sandi? Whatever the decision of Jakarta residents, it has to be respected.
