Candidate Registration for Regional Elections Begins with Mass Gathering Ban
Candidate registration for the 2020 simultaneous elections in 270 regions is open from 4 to 6 Sept. 2020.
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Dian Dewi Purnamasari/NIKOLAUS HARBOWO
·5 minutes read
Kompas/Heru Sri Kumoro
Prospective voters wearing plastic gloves, masks and face protection before voting during the simulation of voting in the 2020 simultaneous election at the KPU office, Jakarta, Wednesday (22/7/2020).
JAKARTA, KOMPAS – Candidate registration for the 2020 simultaneous elections in 270 regions is open from 4 to 6 Sept. 2020. Prospective candidates, election administrators and supporters are all expected to apply self-discipline in adhering to the Covid-19 health protocol while avoiding campaign pageantry and mass gatherings.
The strict application of the health protocol, including maintaining physical distance and wearing masks, is necessary to prevent the further spread of Covid-19 during all stages of the election, from candidate registration to election campaigns and to voting day.
In a statement delivered by teleconference on Thursday in Jakarta, Home Minister Tito Karnavian cautioned all election participants to comply with the Covid-19 health protocol at each stage of the election process. He particularly stressed that mass gatherings such as street rallies were prohibited to prevent the further transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19.
"I emphasize that there will be no processions, parades during [candidate] registration, which is a violation of the health protocol. If not, [such events] could potentially generate a new cluster [of infection] due to large crowds,“ Tito said during a coordination meeting with all regional administrations on preparing for the simultaneous elections.
I emphasize that there will be no processions, parades during [candidate] registration, which is a violation of the health protocol.
Earlier on 14 Aug., the minister reprimanded West Muna Regent Laode Muhammad Rajiun Tumada and Muna Regent Rusman Emba for flouting the Covid-19 health protocol in their regions, and sent their warning letters to the Southeast Sulawesi governor.
The reprimand followed an incident on 9 Aug., when a crowd of thousands flocked to greet West Muna regency candidate Rajiun Tumada at Nusantara Raha Harbor in Muna regency, Southeast Sulawesi. Four days later, another large crowd gathered at the port to greet Muna regency candidate Rusman Emba. The raucous crowd walked to Tugu Jati, following a convoy of vehicles bearing the flags of the political parties backing Rusman.
Trial of the Electronic Recapitulation (Sirekap) application in the 2020 simultaneous elections at the KPU office, Jakarta, Tuesday (25/8/2020).
Limited
The General Elections Commission (KPU) issued KPU Regulation (PKPU) No. 10/2020 and PKPU No. 6/2020, which stipulate strict adherence to the health protocol during candidate registration.
Other procedures during the elections include restrictions on the number of people who may attend the registration, according to the venue’s capacity in maintaining minimum physical distance of 1 meter between all attendees and participants. These include candidate registration administrators, political party representatives, the candidates, technical staff, and election supervisors.
"Those parties that have nothing to do with the registration process should wait outside or in a separate room, and are required to maintain physical distance of at least 1 meter," said Hasyim Asy\'ari of the KPU.
All those submitting documentation and other materials to register candidates must bring their own writing tools and avoid shaking hands and other physical contact during the registration process. The provincial, regency and municipal KPU offices must provide hand washing facilities, antiseptic soaps and hand sanitizers, as well as ensure that the venue has been disinfected prior to the registration.
Candidates must also submit their individual results of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR; swab) test prior to registering. Only candidates with negative test results will be allowed to register in person.
The candidate registration is the first stage of the electoral process and will be a test for the KPU, because it could attract large crowds, according to Titi Anggraini of the Advisory Council for Elections and Democracy.
Sanctions for violators were necessary to ensure strict compliance with the health protocol. However, the PKPUs do not contain clear provisions on such sanctions.
Officers check the body temperature of prospective voters before entering the polls during the simulation of voting in the 2020 simultaneous election at the KPU office, Jakarta, Wednesday (22/7/2020). This simulation is carried out by implementing the prevention and control of Covid-19
No crowds
Chairman Abhan of the Elections Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) said that local Bawaslu offices should have sent a letter to the local offices of political parties and to the candidates the day before the registration, mandating their compliance with the health protocol during registration.
They must also restrict the number of participants during registration at the local KPU office, and maintain physical distancing rules throughout the process.
"If they violate the health protocol, the provincial, regency or municipal Bawaslu offices will work together with the police or the Satpol PP [public order agency] at the relevant level to disperse (crowds). The Bawaslu must cooperate with the police and the Satpol PP because [the latter] are in charge,” he said.
Everyone must exercise strong discipline in maintaining [public] safety together
Party executives should also instruct their regional offices and cadres to ensure that they adhere to the health protocol during registration. PDI-P secretary-general Hasto Kristiyanto said that he had issued a circular on the Covid-19 prevention rules and on exercising self-discipline in adhering to the health protocol.
Meanwhile, Golkar Party deputy chair Ahmad Doli Kurnia Tandjung said the party had issued an appeal for strict discipline in adhering to the health protocol during every stage of the elections.
"Coordination has existed since the beginning, because the regional elections are being held in the middle of a pandemic. Everyone must exercise strong discipline in maintaining [public] safety together,” he said.
