The government, the House of Representatives Commission II and election organizers have disregarded the public’s calls to postpone the 2020 regional head elections until the COVID-19 pandemic is under control.
By
KOMPAS TEAM
·5 minutes read
JAKARTA, KOMPAS—The government, the House of Representatives Commission II and election organizers have disregarded the public’s calls to postpone the 2020 regional head elections until the COVID-19 pandemic is under control, despite the fact that the number of COVID-19 cases in the country continues to climb.
In fact, on Monday, Indonesia recorded its highest daily increase in COVID-19 cases since the government announced the first case in Indonesia on March 2. According to the COVID-19 handling task force, Monday saw an additional 4,176 new cases compared to the previous day. As of September 21, Indonesia has recorded a total of 248,852 COVID-19 cases. Of that number, 180,797 patients have recovered, and 9,677 patients have died.
Religious Affairs Minister Fachrul Razi has also contracted the virus. Currently, he is undergoing self-isolation.
In spite of the dangers the pandemic poses and the public’s calls, the government, House Commission II and election organizers still claim everything is under control. Thus, in a meeting held at the House complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Monday, it was affirmed that the regional head elections to be held across 270 regions will go on this year.
Based on Kompas’ observations, the meeting, which lasted about four hours, did not mention any of the latest COVID-19 figures, especially in areas that will be holding elections.
The General Election Commission (KPU) and the Election Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) were limited to mentioning the number of election organizers at the central and regional levels that were exposed to the virus. Apart from that, pressure to postpone the elections, such as from Nadhlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah, was not substantially discussed. None of the House Commission II members even raised the public’s concerns over postponing the elections.
According to Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian, it is impossible to postpone the elections because no single institution can ensure the end of the pandemic.
Moreover, he said, through the elections, people could elect more competent leaders to effectively tackle the pandemic. Minister Tito believed the regional elections would help maximize their efforts in handling the pandemic.
Additionally, with more than 270 candidate pairs, Minister Tito believed there would be massive distributions of personal protective equipment among the public.
Another reason the elections cannot be postponed, Tito added, was that the budget for the 2020 elections had been almost entirely disbursed. With a total of Rp 19 trillion used for the elections, it is hoped that it will stimulate the economy.
Campaign concerts banned
To prevent the emergence of new COVID-19 clusters, House Commission II has asked for bans on meetings involving large gatherings, such as general meetings, concerts and processions. Election candidates are also advised to proceed with their campaigns online.
Furthermore, coordination between agencies and institutions are expected to be strengthened to enforce stringent compliance with health protocols based on existing regulations.
However, Bawaslu head Adhan said that a regulation in lieu of law (Perppu) was needed to strengthen compliance with health protocols throughout the elections and its preliminary stages. It is hoped that the Perppu will stipulate heavier sanctions for violators.
Postponement of the elections
After the Nadhlatul Ulama Central Board (PBNU), mounting pressure to postpone the regional elections also came from the Muhammadiyah Central Executive Board (PP). “Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, for the sake of the nation’s safety, the KPU should carefully consider postponing the 2020 regional elections until a safer situation permits,” said Muhammadiyah PP general secretary Abdul Mu’ti.
Indonesian Bishops’ Conference (KWI) secretary Paulus Christian Siswantoko echoed these sentiments, saying that postponing the elections was especially important for areas at high risk of COVID-19 transmission.
Indonesian Buddhist Association (Permabudhi) central executive head Philip K. Widjaja, who also called for the postponement of the elections, asked the government to take responsibility for the safety of its people.
Mounting pressure to delay the elections has also sprung up in several regions, such as Medan, North Sumatra, and then in Lampung.
Becomes increasingly widespread
The elections will definitely increase the mobility of people within and between regions and these risks can be calculated.
As COVID-19 cases continue to increase, it is believed that inter-regional transmissions will escalate if the elections are held.
“The elections will definitely increase the mobility of people within and between regions and these risks can be calculated. Has the government calculated the potential increase in cases and deaths? If this has not been considered, it means that the policy [to push forward with the elections] is not based on science,” said Iqbal Elyazar, an epidemiologist from the Indonesian Youth Scientists Forum.
Chairman of the COVID-19 task force of the Indonesian Medical Association (IDI), Zubairi Djoerban, reminded that Jakarta, which houses the most medical facilities and health officers, has been overwhelmed by the increasing number of COVID-19 cases. The situation will be even more concerning if infections rise in regions that lack the needed medical facilities and health officers. “With the current situation, I support calls for the postponement of the elections. We all have to focus first on tackling COVID-19,” he said.