"We have to take preventive measures (against election fraud), (but) when prevention is not effective, we have to improve procedures, criminal responsibility, ethics of (election) organizer, and (prevention of) legal violations,” he stated, as broadcast on Bawaslu’s YouTube channel.
Bagja made the remarks at the commemoration of the 15th anniversary of Bawaslu themed "Synergies to Oversee, Protect Democracy" at the agency’s headquarters on Sunday.
“We hope improvements on these aspects can be implemented during this 15th anniversary (of Bawaslu)," he stated.
He also expressed optimism that Bawaslu would be able to learn from the implementation of earlier election supervisions to continually improve its performance.
"This 15th anniversary is the momentum to reflect on the ability of the election supervisory body to respond to the challenges on (election) supervision in the future," he stated.
Law Number 7 of 2017 on General Elections mandated provincial-, district-, and city-level Bawaslu as permanent institutions, Bagja remarked.
He also noted that the law had become a strong foundation for the roles of Bawaslu.
Furthermore, Bagja expects that the supervision conducted by the agency can be synergized with other election organizers, especially the General Elections Commission (KPU), to maintain the implementation of democracy.
Hence, Bagja stated that his side will engage in discussions covering several matters with the KPU in future, including the results of supervision conducted by Bawaslu.
General elections are scheduled to take place on February 14, 2024.
Earlier, Bawaslu had urged everyone, particularly political parties contesting the 2024 elections, to refrain from conducting campaign activities or agendas during the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan, which started on March 23 this year.
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Translator: Melalusa Khalida, Uyu Liman
Editor: Anton Santoso
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