Extreme Weather Overshadows NTB until Election Day

Extreme weather has the potential to occur during the logistics distribution process to voting in NTB.

The following article was translated using both Microsoft Azure Open AI and Google Translation AI. The original article can be found in Cuaca Ekstrem Membayangi NTB hingga Hari Pencoblosan

KOMPAS/ISMAIL ZAKARIA

The Election Supervisory Body team in Mataram City, West Nusa Tenggara, removed campaign paraphernalia in the Halmahera, Rembiga, Selaparang area of Mataram City on Sunday (11/2/2024) afternoon. The removal of campaign paraphernalia was carried out following the beginning of the quiet period for the 2024 Election, which took place from 11-13 February 2024 prior to the voting on 14 February 2024. According to Article 1 Clause 36 of Law Number 7 of 2017 concerning Elections, the quiet period is a period that cannot be used for election campaign activities.

MATARAM, KOMPAS - Extreme weather is looming over several areas in West Nusa Tenggara for the next four days. Various precautionary measures are being taken to avoid disrupting the logistics distribution process, particularly the voting process on Wednesday (14/2/2024).

Meteorological Station Chief Zainuddin Abdul Madjid Satrio Topan Primadi, in his official statement on Monday (12/4/2024), stated that the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) predicts a potential rainfall with moderate to heavy intensity that may be accompanied by lightning, thunder, and strong winds for the period of February 12-15, 2024.

The condition is estimated to occur in North Lombok, Central Lombok, East Lombok, Sumbawa, West Sumbawa, Bima Regency, Bima City, and Dompu from morning until dawn, said Satrio.

Apart from moderate to heavy rain, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) is also at risk of high waves. BMKG stated that wave height is estimated to be between 1.25 to 2.5 meters in the southern part of Lombok Strait, southern part of Alas Strait, southern part of Sape Strait, and the southern Indian Ocean of NTB.

Also read: Election Logistics Distribution in Jakarta Reaches Half of the Districts and Villages

ISMAIL ZAKARIA

Residents are observing high waves in the Ampenan Beach area, Mataram City, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) on Monday (6/2/2023). The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency is urging the public to beware of extreme weather, including moderate to heavy rainfall along with high waves in NTB for the next week.

According to Satrio, that condition occurred due to the significance of the atmospheric dynamics that impacted the potential increase of rainfall in several areas in Indonesia.

Satrio stated that the atmospheric conditions show several phenomena that support the formation of fairly intense rain clouds in the near future. These phenomena include the equatorial Rossby wave and Kelvin wave in several regions of Indonesia, including the NTB region.

Apart from that, there is also a low pressure center in the northern region of Australia which forms an area of ​​bending, meeting and slowing wind speed (convergence). This condition can increase convective activity and maximize the potential for rain cloud growth in several regions of Indonesia, including NTB, in the next few days.

The Chairman of the General Election Commission (KPU) of NTB Province, Muhammad Khuwailid, stated after a meeting with the Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda) of NTB and other stakeholders related to the 2024 Election on Monday, that the weather conditions are a concern. The weather is a concern, both during the distribution of logistics and the voting process.

See also: “Grasak-grusuk” Dawn Attack in the Calm Period of Elections

KOMPAS/ISMAIL ZAKARIA

Chairman of the NTB Election Commission Muhammad Khuwailidi (far right) discussed with the Acting Governor of NTB Lalu Gita Ariadi (center) after the NTB Regional Leadership Coordination Forum meeting and other stakeholders related to the 2024 Election in Mataram, Monday afternoon (12/4/2024).

According to Khuawailid, logistics distribution is still ongoing, including to the islands.

"For high waves, ordinary sea transportation is not feasible. Therefore, we have coordinated with the transportation department to provide assistance in supplying ships," he said.

According to Menurit Khuwailid, so far there have been no reports of any logistical distribution issues to the islands amidst high waves.

Iklan

"Yesterday, the distribution to Maringkik Island in East Lombok went smoothly. Reports from our friends in West Lombok who distributed logistics to Gili Gede this morning were also good," he said.

Also read: Why Are Elections Always Wednesdays?

KOMPAS/ISMAIL ZAKARIA

Head of West Nusa Tenggara Regional Police (NTB) Inspector General Umar Faroq (far right) accompanied by NTB Acting Governor Lalu Gita Ariadi (far left) checked their troops' readiness in securing the 2024 elections in Selaparang Airport, Mataram, NTB, on Monday (5/2/2024) morning. For the upcoming election on February 14, 2024, Polda NTB will deploy 7,385 personnel, supported by TNI personnel for security at 16,253 polling stations.

The impact of extreme rain on the distribution of logistics in the NTB mainland region is also anticipated. Especially, following the occurrence of damage to 13 ballot boxes in Sembalun Lawang, East Lombok.

However, the ballots and other documents were not damaged as they were wrapped in plastic. The contents have been removed with all relevant parties witnessing.

According to Khuwailid, the condition occurred because the transport vehicles did not use a good cover or tarpaulin, causing leaks. "We have requested that districts in the ongoing distribution process use standard tarpaulins," he said.

Preventative measures are also being prepared for the impacts of extreme weather during the voting process, particularly in areas affected by disasters in NTB.

Also read: Choose with Conscience

KOMPAS/ISMAIL ZAKARIA

The atmosphere of the Simulation of Voting and Vote Counting for the 2024 Elections, organized by the Mataram City General Election Commission at Polling Station (TPS) 23 Pagutan, Mataram City, West Nusa Tenggara, Wednesday (24/1/2024). The simulation aims to ensure that the Voting Organizer Group and registered voters still understand the process of voting and vote counting in the upcoming February 14, 2024 Election.

Last week, extreme weather triggered natural disasters in several regions of NTB, such as floods in Bima city, Bima district, Dompu district, and Sumbawa. Additionally, landslides also occurred in Sumbawa.

According to the data from the Regional Disaster Management Agency of NTB, natural disasters affected 29 villages last week. Currently, the handling process is still ongoing.

Preventative measures are also being prepared for the impacts of extreme weather during the voting process, particularly in areas affected by disasters in NTB.

According to Khuwailid, his team has received reports of relocation of polling stations that are located in villages or neighborhoods affected by floods.

"However, not all polling stations are affected by this. We are relocating this station as a mitigation measure in case there is rain on February 14 and it disrupts the voting process," he said.

According to regulations, in the event of a major flood, whether it occurs one day before or during the polling day, relocation of voters that affects the relocation of the polling stations can be carried out.

See also: Come on, understand the procedures for voting on ballots in the 2024 elections

KOMPAS/ISMAIL ZAKARIA

Road users pass in front of a billboard containing a list of permanent candidate members of the Indonesian Regional Representative Council (DPD RI) for the West Nusa Tenggara Election District in the 2024 General Election, located on Bung Karno Road, Mataram City, West Nusa Tenggara, on Friday (29/12/2023). Interest in the DPD RI candidate members in the 2024 election decreased compared to the 2019 election. In the 2024 election, the number of DPD candidate members is only 668 people. Meanwhile, in the 2019 election, it reached 807 people.

"Furthermore, if the flood persists, a by-election can be conducted. Regarding this matter, we have coordinated with all relevant parties," said Khuwailid.

The Acting Governor of West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), Lalu Gita Ariadi, added that preparations for the election in NTB have been going smoothly, including the ongoing distribution of logistics. The threat of disaster due to extreme weather is also being anticipated, by stationing heavy equipment in disaster-prone areas.

"At present, the handling of natural disasters at the affected location continues. Heavy equipment has been deployed there," said Gita.