The regional election should not become a source of disunity and lead to conflict and make the situation not conducive, even lead to a rivalry between us
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Vice President Ma'ruf Amin hopes for the 2020 concurrent regional elections to not lead to disunity and conflict among the people due to differences in political choices. "The regional election should not become a source of disunity and lead to conflict and make the situation not conducive, even lead to a rivalry between us," said VP Amin in the launch event of 2020 Concurrent Regional Election Proneness Index in Jakarta, Tuesday.

Differences in political views and opinions are not to be debated, especially in the public realm, he believed. Such differences should instead be respected in the effort to maintain the country's integrity.

The Vice President hoped for all election bodies, including the Elections Supervisory Agency to successfully carry out regional elections in 270 areas.

"Elections are not a goal in democracy, rather, they are part of the process; the ultimate goal of the elections is to bring prosperity to the people and to the nation," he said.

In the 2020 Concurrent Regional Election Proneness Index, the Election Supervisory Board mapped out 24 areas included in the prone zones, consisted of nine provinces and 15 districts and/or cities.

The index should be seen as a preventative effort to conflicts in the regions, board member Afifuddin said.

"This index is released in anticipation. It does not mean that we are expecting a conflict to break out," he said.

The 15 areas determined as those prone to conflict in the 2020 regional election, with scores above 63.88, include:

1. Manokwari District

2. Mamuju District

3. Makassar City

4. Central Lombok District

5. East Kotawaringin District

6. Sula Islands District

7. Central Mamuju District

8. Sungai Penuh City

9. Northern Minahasa District

10. Pasangkayu District

11. Tomohon City

12. Ternate City

13. Serang District

14. Kendal District

15. Sambas District

Meanwhile, the provinces holding elections in the 2020 regional elections that were included in the vulnerable category according to Bawaslu, namely North Sulawesi, Central Sulawesi, West Sumatra, Jambi, Bengkulu, Central Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, Riau Islands, and North Kalimantan.

Related news: Bawaslu identifies 24 regions susceptible to election conflicts

Related news: VP urges regional election contestants to evade money politics


Translator: Fransiska Ninditya/Aria Cindya
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2020