PAN Issues 400 Recommendations for Prospective Regional Head Candidates

Cadres and figures who have received recommendations are asked to strengthen political communication in order to find coalitions and partners.

KOMPAS/RONY ARIYANTO NUGROHO

The atmosphere of the opening ceremony of the National Mandate Party (PAN) National Coordination Meeting at the JS Luwansa Hotel, Kuningan, Jakarta, Thursday (9/5/2024).

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — National Mandate Party has provided recommendations to 400 regional head candidates who wish to contest in Pilkada 2024. Cadres and figures who have received recommendations are asked to strengthen political communication to find coalitions and partners in contesting.

Chairman of the National Mandate Party (PAN) Zulkifli Hasan said that the stages for the 2024 Regional Head Election (Pilkada) had been agreed. There are only about three months left, the registration period for regional head candidates will be held on August 27-29.

Therefore, PAN has prepared for winning the regional elections by providing recommendations to a number of cadres and figures. PAN has not set a limit on the recommendations given to potential regional head candidates who wish to compete. Thus, recommendations for one province or district/city may be given to more than one figure.

"We have not limited it to one province and the recommendation for one or two districts/cities, because we do not know whether PAN can nominate their own candidates," said Zulkifli during the National Coordination Meeting for Winning the 2024 Regional Elections in Jakarta on Friday (10/5/2024).

Also read: In front of Prabowo, Zulhas emphasizes that PAN and Gerindra will face the regional elections

KOMPAS/RONY ARIYANTO NUGROHO

The Chairman of the National Mandate Party (PAN), Zulkifli Hasan, accompanied the elected president in the 2024 presidential election, Prabowo Subianto, towards the stage at the opening event of the National Coordination Meeting of PAN at Hotel JS Luwansa, Kuningan, Jakarta on Thursday (9/5/2024).

National Coordination Meeting on the second day was also attended by a number of regional head candidates who received recommendations from PAN, one of whom was former East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa. Also present were a number of figures who registered for regional elections through PAN, including Airin Rachmi Diany and Achmad Dimyati Natakusumah.

Zulkifli stated that there is still around three months before the registration phase for prospective regional head candidates to the General Election Commission. This time must be utilized as well as possible by cadres and figures who have gained recommendations to convince PAN to provide support in the regional elections. Campaigning activities, including building coalitions with other parties, must continue to be carried out.

Also read: PAN is Open to Forming a New Coalition in the Regional Elections

The PAN Central Executive Board (DPP PAN) will later assess the development of the electability of figures who have been given the recommendation. In addition to electability, factors that are considered are track record, leadership, and coalition.

If there are multiple figures who receive recommendations, it will eventually be narrowed down to one figure who will be supported in the regional elections. "In deciding on the candidate to be supported, it is not based on personal affairs. We want the best for the region. Everyone is close, everyone is a friend, everyone is a companion," said Zulkifli.

KOMPAS/HENDRA A SETYAWAN

The Chairman of the National Mandate Party (PAN), Zulkifli Hasan (center), accompanied by Secretary-General Eddy Soeparno (right) and Vice Chairman Yandri Susanto, after registering as a prospective legislative candidate at the General Elections Commission (KPU) office in Jakarta, Friday (12/5/2023).

We want the best for the region. All close, all friends, all companions.

Member of the PAN DPP Pilkada Team, Yandri Susanto, said that there were more than 1,200 people who applied as regional head candidates to PAN. However, the PAN DPP has only given recommendations to around 400 regional head candidates. Recommendations will increase because PAN has not yet provided its recommendations to figures who want to contest in several regions.

The areas where the recommendation is only given to one person are those whose heads come from PAN cadre and want to run again. Those areas, such as in the provinces of Jambi, North Maluku, and Maros, do not open registration for open candidate selection for regional heads. Therefore, the only recommendation is given to the incumbent from PAN to be able to maintain their victory in that region.

Also read: Incumbent Dynamics in Regional Elections

Meanwhile, areas where recommendations come from more than one person are located in regions without incumbent local leaders from PAN. In addition, these areas are not the PAN's stronghold and lack strong candidates to run for the position of local leader.

Furthermore, the prospective regional head candidates are tasked with, among other things, finding a running mate and obtaining the support of other political parties to meet the nomination requirements for the regional elections. They are also asked to establish effective communication with party officials at various levels to activate party machinery and create winning programs for the regional elections.

KOMPAS/RONY ARIYANTO NUGROHO

The president-elect in the 2024 Presidential Election, Prabowo Subianto, and the Chairman of the National Mandate Party Zulkifli Hasan along with several political elites from PAN took a photo together at the opening event of the National Coordination Meeting of PAN at the JS Luwansa Hotel, Kuningan, Jakarta, on Thursday (9/5/2024).

"Providing recommendations to more than one figure actually gives the same opportunity to all candidates, rather than having one name predetermined from the start, except in areas where the incumbent is from PAN," said Yandri.

Also read: Prospective Regional Head Candidates Start Lobbying to Build Coalitions

Furthermore, according to Yandri, PAN will evaluate the winning potential of the prospective candidates' work. If it is considered to have a high chance of winning, a final recommendation will be given so that they can register with the KPU. The coalition formed does not have to come from the Indonesian Forward Coalition (KIM) because PAN is open to all opportunities for cooperation in the regional elections.

"We do not have any obstacles with all parties, whether they are in the KIM, parliament, or political parties that are not in parliament but have seats in the regions," said Yandri.