Polling station officers and employees of the Tanah Tinggi sub district office in Central Jakarta move ballot boxes to be distributed to a number of command posts in local neighborhoods on Tuesday (18/4).
JAKARTA, KOMPAS — The decisive moment has come. Jakarta residents were invited to the polling stations early on Wednesday (19/4) and asked to bring theirC6 form and their e-ID card ora recommendation letter in lieu of the e-ID. Let’s vote for the figure that will make Jakarta better for all.
“In this runoff election, I will exercise my voting right. I want to elect a governor for the next five years who can solve traffic jams, floods and make Jakarta safe,” said Nurhayati Panggabean, 28, a resident of Utan Panjang, Kemayoran, Central Jakarta, on Tuesday.
Nurhayati is one of many residents of the capital city who were late to report to the sub district polling committee (PPS) that her name was not on the fixed voters list (DPT) for the runoff. Nurhayati has an e-ID certifying her residence in RT 009 RW 001 of Utan Panjang, Kemayoran. With the e-ID, she wants to exercise her voting right, although she was not given the C6 form (voting invitation).
“Voters who are not on the DPT can still exercise their voting right as long as they can show their e-ID or the recommendation letter from 12:01 p.m. to 1 p.m.,” said Jakarta General Elections Commission (KPU Jakarta) commissioner Betty Epsiloon Idroos. Despite assurances that all Jakarta residents who present their e-ID or a recommendation letter can exercise their voting right, there were problems one day before the voting day. Only 79 percent of voting invitations(C6 form) had been distributed as of yesterday. Residents who have not received the C6 form but are listed on the DPT are asked to memorize their number and bring their family card (KK) or another identity card to the polling station.
KPU Jakarta has distributed 7,407,106 ballots and reserved ballots for the runoff. Compared to the first round of the election, this marks an increase of 114,487 ballots.
KPU Jakarta logistical affairs chairman Muhammad Fadlilah said until a day before the voting day (H-1) all ballots had been distributed to sub districts. From there, the ballots were distributed to the RW units and then to the polling stations. “Today, we destroyed 6,943 damaged ballot papers and oversupplied ballot papers,” he said.
South Jakarta Elections Supervisory Committee chairman Ari Mashuri said the distribution of C6 forms was a bit late. The distribution of the C6 forms was targeted to reach 85 percent on the final day of distribution.
The C6 form issue could trigger problems during today’s voting, because the voters who do not bring their C6 must be verified by their ID document or be listed on the DPT. Ari emphasized that the C6 was not a requirement for exercising one’s voting right. As long as one is listed on the DPT or has an ID document, one must be granted the right to vote.
At Polling Station (TPS) 29 Kalibata, 16 of the 512 people on the DPT have not been handed their C6 forms, either because the committee failed to meet the residents or because the residents refused to accept the C6 form. “They do not want to vote. They are confused,” said Ahmad Sanjani, chairman of TPS 29 Kalibata.
The undistributed C6 forms are to be returned to sub district polling committees (PPS) by Wednesday afternoon. Residents will not be able to collect the C6 forms after 4 p.m.
Violations
Jakarta’s Elections Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) was assessing reports of alleged vote buying through the distribution or subsidized sale of staple food. If there are indications of a structural, systematic and massive violation, it could void the results of the gubernatorial election.
During a field investigation, Bawaslu Jakarta found the organizer of the staple food distribution or sale, who claimed to be a volunteer for governor candidate number two. In another case, pictures were found related to candidate number three.
“Principally, both candidates and their teams are alleged to have committed vote buying,” Bawaslu Jakarta chairperson Mimah Susanti told a press conference yesterday.
The free distribution or subsidized sale of staple food could be categorized as vote buying according to Law No 10/2016 on the second revision of Law No 1/2015 on Government Regulation in lieu of Law No 1.2014 on the Election of Governors, Regents and Mayors, Article 187A Point 1. It is punishable by 36-72 months of imprisonment and Rp 200 million-Rp 1 billion in fines.
Fighting intolerance
“To fellow Indonesian citizens, I say, do not be disturbed by ethnic, religious and racial [SARA] issues that weaken the nation and the country! Do not be afraid to fight intolerance and violence! Let us strengthen our commitment to maintaining our nationhood, Bhinneka Tunggal Ika [Unity in Diversity],” President Joko Widodo said. The President assured voters of the state’s guarantee for citizens to exercise their right to vote based on their conscience.
The President’s statement was supported by Vice President Jusuf Kalla, Home Minister Tjahjo Kumolo, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) chairman Said Aqil Siroj and Muhammadiyah deputy chairman Abdul Mu’ti.
During a briefing of the Indonesian Military and National Police for securing the Jakarta gubernatorial election in Ancol, North Jakarta, Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Wiranto said the regional election was a celebration of democracy that all residents should enjoy.
“Security personnel have been ordered to take strict action against anyone trying to threaten, intimidate or provoke the masses to disrupt this democratic process,” he said.
National Police chief Gen. Tito Karnavian and Indonesian Military commander Gen. Gatot Nurmantyo also expressed their determination. Tito said 35,000 military and police personnel would secure the election. Together with personnel from the Civilian Guard and election security personnel, the total number would be 62,000. Each polling station would be guarded by one soldier and one police officer. In total, there are 13,034 polling stations.
Regarding the announced mass mobilization of people from outside Jakarta, Tito said the Jakarta Police chief and police chiefs of Java and Sumatra had issued circulars urging people from outside Jakarta not to come to the capital for the Jakarta gubernatorial runoff election. “This is for the sake of public order,” he said.
