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Chairman of Election Supervisory Body Abhan when attending the meeting with the Representative Council, Election Commision, and the Ministry of Home Affairs at the house of Representative Council, Jakarta, Monday (24/8/2020)/photo: Muhtar (Bawaslu Public Relation)

Jakarta, Election Supervisory Body - In a hearing (Meeting to Hear Opinions) with Commission II of the House of Representatives, Election Supervisory Body explained the legitimacy of the use of information technology (IT) in the submission of reports on alleged violations of the 2020 simultaneous regional elections. This is part of the draft of Election Supervisory Body (Perbawaslu) Regulation in adapting to the Covid-19 pandemic situation, geographical constraints, security, and natural disasters.

Chairman of Election Supervisory Body Abhan said that the use of IT in submitting reports of alleged violations for the 2020 Pilkada also applies to the clarification stage (handling violations). Where in carrying out the process of reviewing findings or reports, Election Supervisory Body, Provincial Election Supervisory Body, Regency / City Election Supervisory Body, or the District Supervisory Committee (Panwascam) which usually calls the reporter, reported, witness, or expert directly, can now use the IT method.

"The use of information technology today is something that must be done for us. For example, we do not prohibit people from reporting directly, but we suggest that we do not accept it immediately," he said at the house of representatives Building, Jakarta, Monday (24/8/2020). attended by the ranks of the KPU and the Ministry of Home Affairs (Kemendagri).

Abhan added, the use of IT in submitting reports of suspected election violations can also be done in certain circumstances. He gave an example for reasons of geographical factors, security, or natural disasters. "If the situation is like that, the application of clarification can be done using information technology," he explained.

It should be noted, in this Meeting to Hear Opinions there are two draft, namely the draft Election Supervisory Body on Handling Reports of Election Violations for the Governor and Deputy Governor, the Regent and Deputy Regent, and or the Mayor and Deputy Mayor and the Election Supervisory Body, Draft on Procedures for Handling Administrative Violations for Election of Governors and Deputy Governor, Regent and Deputy Regent, and or Mayor and Deputy Mayor that occurs in a structured, systematic and massive manner.

Commission II of the DPR RI also made notes on Election Supervisory Body. One of them is to tighten supervision of the stages of regional elections that trigger fraud and violations, especially incumbent candidates who are indicated to have abused their authority and programs sourced from the APBN and APBD.

In addition, there is also a discussion of four amendments to the KPU Regulation (PKPU) which are consulted on mutual agreement for approval. First, amendments to PKPU Number 3 of 2017 concerning Nominations for the Election of Governors and Deputy Governors, Regents and Deputy Regents, and / or Mayors and Deputy Mayors.

Second, amendments to PKPU Number 4 of 2017 concerning the Campaign for the Election of Governors and Deputy Governors, Regents and Deputy Regents, and / or Mayors and Deputy Mayors. Third, amendments to PKPU Number 5 of 2017 concerning Campaign Funds for Participants in the Election of Governors and Deputy Governors, Regents and Deputy Regents, and / or Mayors and Deputy Mayors.

Finally, the discussion of changes to PKPU Number 6 of 2020 concerning the Implementation of Elections for Governors and Deputy Governors, Regents and Deputy Regents, and / or Mayor and Deputy Mayor simultaneously continues in the non-natural Corona Virus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) Disaster condition.

Editor: Ranap THS
Photographer: Muhtar