Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian Postpone 3,000 Village Head Elections During Corona; Regional Elections Will Continue

Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian decided to postpone the implementation of the Village Head Election (Pilkades) throughout Indonesia. The condition of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country with a high number of cases towards the election process made Tito have to choose this decision.

However, this decision is inversely proportional to the government’s stance which insists on continuing the 2020 Regional Elections (Pilkada) in 270 regions.

“I have postponed the Election for Village Heads totaling 3,000. Why? Because we can’t control it. Because the regent is the committee according to the law,” said Tito in a webinar, Sunday, September 20.

Tito has sent letters and ordered all regents to postpone the Village Head Election.

According to Tito, the Village Head Elections will be delayed until the Regional Elections are done.

“Because we can control the Regional Head Elections, but the Village Head Elections will be held in each regency. Yes, if we have good management, otherwise it will be very vulnerable to the spread of the COVID-19 virus,” said Tito.

Although many have urged the government to postpone the regional elections due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Tito emphasized that the government’s decision remains unanimous to hold the 2020 Regional Head Elections and cannot be questioned.

For the implementation of the 2020 Regional Elections, the government is currently preparing a government regulation in place of law (Perppu).

The Perppu will regulate the technical implementation of Regional Head Elections amid a pandemic, starting from prevention, handling, to the enforcement of health protocol laws.

Revising the General Election Commission Regulation (PKPU) can be an option that can be taken. Tito also asked for support from all parties so that the PKPU revision could run smoothly.

“The General Election Commission’s regulations must be revised in a few days,” said Tito.