Indonesia to Keep an Eagle Eye on Health Protocol Violators in Campaign Trail

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian called on the Elections Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) to take firm action against health protocol violators during the regional election campaigns this year.

“We call on Bawaslu to act firmly against anyone who violates this [health protocols],” Tito said in a webinar on Upholding Integrity during Regional Elections on Tuesday, November 10.

Tito also urged the police to uphold the law accordingly should any violations occur during the campaigns, especially against the Covid-19 health protocols and public order.

Also read: Indonesia to Hold Regional Polls on Dec. 9 despite Covid-19 Pandemic

“Marching in the streets could be subject to traffic law and violate public order. Actions must be taken [against this],” said Tito, who is also former national police chief.

He said that violations against the health protocols such as mass gatherings are still taking place during the campaigns even though the number is relatively low.

“The number of violations is not massive, it is only around 2.9 percent of the total number of get-together events,” he said.

Indonesia will hold simultaneous regional elections in 270 regions, comprising nine provinces, 224 districts, and 37 cities. The campaign period will take place 71 days, from September 26-December 5. Voters will cast their ballots on December 9.

(Writer: Sania Mashabi | Editor: Krisiandi)

Source: https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2020/11/10/18341841/mendagri-minta-bawaslu-dan-polri-tindak-tegas-pelanggar-protokol-kesehatan.