"We all indeed hope the COVID-19 pandemic will end very soon, but we also need to consider anticipatory measures for stages of electoral process if the pandemic continues until the convening of general elections in 2024," Hakim, legislator representing the National Awakening Party (PKB) Faction said here Thursday.
The KPU and the Electoral Supervisory Board (Bawaslu) should draft standard operating procedures to regulate electoral procedures, with adjustments made to health protocols and physical distancing practices, he advised.
The standard operating procedures and precautionary measures are essential to minimize the risk of infection among KPU and Bawaslu officials while performing election duties, he said.
The KPU should also consider a new approach to the electoral system by adopting information technology and a computerized system, he added.
He encouraged the electoral commission to seek loopholes in Law No. 7 of 2017 on Election that allows the adoption of technology and electronic equipment within the electoral system.
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"We can start to adopt the electronic system for the registration and verification of political parties, finalization of voters' list, and ballot counting," Hakim said.
He also asked the KPU to take the initiative, if needed, to propose the adoption of Government Regulation in Lieu of Law, to allow necessary procedural adjustments if the Election Law fails to address special measures for holding elections during a pandemic situation.
"If enacted, the Government Regulation in Lieu of Law will allow modification of electoral technicalities, such as election schedule and procedures regarding vote counting at polling stations," Hakim said.
Commission II will hold a leadership meeting at the end of August 2021 to set the commission's meeting schedule, including the meeting date with the electoral commission and other relevant parties, he added.
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Translator: Imam B, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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