Preparing For The 2020

In mid-June, a series of stages of the Regional Head Election (Pilkada) will soon be held. However, this democratic party must be held during the Covid-19 pandemic. What should be prepared in order to hold a safe Pilkada? What are the other preparations considering that the election day is getting closer?

Populi Center, in the Populi Forum event, tried to discuss the issue of Pilkada during the 2019 Covid pandemic in a discussion entitled "Pilkada 2020 Readiness". This discussion was held online via the Webex Meetings application on Wednesday (10/06/2020) by presenting two speakers, namely Hasyim Asy'ari (KPU Commissioner) and Hadar Nafis Gumay (Netgrit Senior Researcher). The discussion was led directly by Dimas Ramadhan (Populi Center Researcher) and took place at 13.00-15.00 WIB.

On the first occasion, KPU Commissioner Hasyim Asy'ari explained that the implementation of the Pilkada in the midst of a pandemic must be ensured that its implementation must be in accordance with democratic and integrity election standards. The existence of the Covid-19 pandemic situation makes the implementation of the 2020 Pilkada a little different. There are additional standards that must be adjusted to health protocols to combat the spread of the virus so that it does not spread further.
"In the implementation of the Pilkada amidst Covid, we must ensure the health of officers in the field. Various health devices must be available to maintain the safety of officers and voters to avoid viruses such as masks and hand sanitizers," said Hasyim.

Hasyim Asy'ari also added that the implementation of social distancing must be strictly adhered to and implemented to avoid crowds. Implementation of Pilkada implementation standards along with Covid-19 standards. The KPU must prepare risk management for the worst situation. If there is a situation where officers are exposed, will the vote counting be stopped or what?

Polling Station (TPS) locations must be quarantined and sterilized. "The design of the room must be arranged to regulate social distancing. For example, in the process of making ballots that involve many people. It must be considered that one person who folds with a working duration of 8 hours per day, requires how many workers, then is it necessary to implement a work system with a shift system," said Hasyim.

Hadar Nafis Gumay, Senior Researcher at Netgrit emphasized his presentation regarding budget issues. The 2020 Pilkada process had previously been running but had to be stopped due to Covid-19. The next Pilkada stages will be held on June 15, 2020. Before the KPU starts working again on June 15, 2020, funds for the implementation of the Pilkada should have been available first. Officers in the field must carry out rapid tests routinely to check health periodically before the Pilkada stages are continued.

"The Pilkada budget must be available immediately so that officers can work immediately. Officer safety is important. Until now there is no certainty, how much and when it will come down is not clear. There needs to be readiness in terms of regulations and budget," said Hadar.

At the end of the discussion, Hadar Nafis Gumay added that the implementation of this year's Pilkada cannot be equated with normal conditions. We must all be ready to run the Pilkada in the midst of a pandemic. This outbreak cannot be ascertained when it will end, but to guarantee the democratic process, the Pilkada must still be implemented. To overcome this condition, a mechanism must be prepared carefully so that the Pilkada can still be implemented but still pay attention to health standards. "The number of voters per TPS is not as many as in normal conditions. The maximum number of voters per TPS is 500 people. The number of TPS, the number of supervisors and code of ethics officers has also increased," said Hadar.