Heartfelt Effort to Serve Voters

KOMPAS/MELATI MEWANGI

Officers give gloves to residents who want to vote at the polling station (TPS) 11 Klari Village, Klari District, Karawang, West Java, on Wednesday (9/12/2020).

The Polling Station Working Committees (KPPS) were of great service in setting democracy in motion during the simultaneous regional elections of 2020. They also became frontline guardians to prevent COVID-19 infection when voters exercised their democratic rights at the polling stations (TPS) on Wednesday (9/12/2020).

Sunarko, 31, untiringly reminded residents arriving at TPS 11 in Klari village, Klari district, Karawang, West Java, that they should abide by the health protocols. His two hands, covered in latex gloves, tightly gripped a microphone.

“Ladies and gentlemen, please wash your hands before entering the TPS. Your temperature is to be checked first, please take the plastic gloves,” he politely told people coming to cast their votes.

Also read: Regional Elections Pose High Risk, Adherence to Health Protocols Crucial

As deputy chairman of the KPPS at TPS 11 and head of the local neighborhood unit (RT), he wanted to ascertain that his fellow residents remained healthy on their arrival at and return from the TPS. His principle was that democracy should go on without ever ignoring the health protocols.

Disinfectant was also sprayed when entering the patients’ houses.

Later in the day, Sunarko accompanied by several officers visited COVID-19 patients still in self-isolation at home. Before going to the location, he donned a hazmat suit, mica face protector, latex gloves and face mask. Disinfectant was also sprayed when entering the patients’ houses.

“I’ve put on personal protective equipment [PPE], God willing, it’s safe, there should be no fear. They’re my own neighbors,” he said.

As they reached the destination, a married couple appeared and welcomed Sunarko. They promptly pierced the ballots and returned them. Sunarko didn’t fail to again spray the disinfectant and hurried back to the TPS.

At the TPS, he and the officers immediately washed their hands. Hand washing before entering the TPS area was practiced by all officers. They also reminded each other of this protocol.

Also read: Festival of Democracy under Shadow of Pandemic

The home visits to collect votes was done by the KPPS at TPS 11 so that residents would not lose their voting rights despite their self-isolation. If any of them declined to vote or chose to abstain, the officers would not force them.

Serving and interacting with voters undergoing self-isolation due to exposure to COVID-19 was not without risk. Although furnished with the PPE, the fear of getting infected remained.

This was experienced by Fathin Haris, 25, a member of the KPPS at TPS 13 in Bojongbata, Pemalang district, Pemalang regency, Central Java. In spite of his nursing job, he has never before interacted directly with confirmed COVID-19 patients.

KOMPAS/MELATI MEWANGI

Officers wore hazmat suits before visiting voters who were in independent isolation in Klari Village, Klari District, Karawang, on Wednesday (9/12/2020).

Such interaction with COVID-19 patients only just took place during the polls at TPS 13 yesterday. The TPS was in the complex of Dr M Ashari Regional General Hospital (RSUD), Pemalang, where he is employed.

“At first, I was scared, but I roused my courage. In the isolation room, it seemed to be a test for my guts, I felt afraid but also challenged,” said Haris.

He had to serve two confirmed COVID-19 patients. They were treated in the Rajawali Room of RSUD Dr M Ashari.

As soon as he entered the isolation room and met with the patients, Haris handed over ballots, nails and cork pads. Then he turned around, giving the chance to the patients to pierce the ballots. After finishing their voting, he turned back to face the patients and collected the ballots, while also spraying disinfectant.

“After completing my duty, I felt relieved. I’m grateful for having gained the experience of serving COVID-19 patients so that their voting rights weren’t lost,” said the man who had joined the KPPS for the first time.

Red zones

The risk of contracting COVID-19 was indeed a challenge for KPPS officers, especially those in COVID-19 red zones. In these areas, the COVID-19 infection risk was quite high so that their alertness and discipline in complying with the health protocols became crucial.

Also read: Resolve Problems at Polling Stations

In Keerom regency, Papua, the regional election was still within red zones. The cumulative number of COVID-19 cases there until Tuesday (8/12) reached 142. There were 54,490 voters in 11 districts and 91 villages.

He also held a thermo-gun to measure the temperature of voters before entering the TPS.

The difficult situation was realized by Rivan Wanggai, a KPPS officer at TPS 7 in Yuwanain village, Arso district. Assigned in front of the TPS 7 entrance from 7 a.m. East Indonesia Time, he was dressed in a hazmat suit complete with a face mask, gloves and a mica face cover. He also held a thermo-gun to measure the temperature of voters before entering the TPS.

Rivan in his hazmat suit was in high spirits although the weather in Keerom was very hot. The body of the 46-year-old man was damp with perspiration.

Also read: PPE Absolute Requirements

At around noon, Rivan still in his hazmat suit chased a voter who ran away after having been found using a forged invitation. However, he failed to catch the man.

“I want to make sure that not only is the voting at the TPS in keeping with the health protocols but it is also democratic and conforms to regulations,” said Rivan.

KOMPAS/MELATI MEWANGI

KPPS officers wear matching costumes so that residents are interested in coming to vote at TPS 15 in Klari Village, Klari District, Karawang, on Wednesday (9/12/2020).

Regional elections basically constitute an arena to channel votes in the designation of leaders by democratic means. But apart from that, at TPS 3 in Lamajang village, Pangalengan district, Bandung regency, West Java, the polling also served as an arena to voice concerns. The KPPS officers there were clad in senior high school uniforms as a gesture of anxiety because face-to-face school classes haven’t yet been resumed.

Whatever it may be, the totality and dedication of KPPS officers mean that they deserve the title of heroes of democracy in this current pandemic period. (MEL/RTG/XTI/FLO)