There are possibilities of (a leadership) vacuum, and the respective authorities should prepare (to designate) acting officers to ensure public services do not get disrupted.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Vice President Ma'ruf Amin has urged regional authorities to ensure that public services do not get disrupted following the resignations of regional leaders competing in the 2024 General Elections as legislative candidates.

"There are possibilities of (a leadership) vacuum, and the respective authorities should prepare (to designate) acting officers to ensure public services do not get disrupted," Amin said during his visit to Banyuasin district, South Sumatra, on Friday, according to a written statement received here.

The General Elections Commission (KPU) opened registrations for House of Representatives (DPR) candidates from May 1 to May 14, 2023.

Registrations of DPR candidates took place simultaneously with the registrations of province-, district-, and city-level legislatures (DPRD) and Regional Representative Council (DPD) candidates.

A total of 10,323 individuals submitted their registrations to become legislative candidates during the period.

Meanwhile, the Home Affairs Ministry has recorded that 44 regional heads or deputy heads have submitted their resignations to contest the elections.

The Vice President stressed that as long as no regulations are violated, officials are allowed to resign to participate in elections.

"I think the first thing we should consider is the regulations. As long as there is no prohibition (to do so), I think it is no problem," Amin said.

Responding to public criticism that the regional officials' maneuver points to their utilizing their office as a stepping stone to gain a parliament seat, he emphasized that the most important thing is that no regulations are violated.

"The suspicion (regarding officials' political maneuvering) among the public is justified. However, the most important (thing) is that no rules are violated," he said.

Related news: Police receive resignation from generals contesting in regional head elections
Related news: Digital MPP to support access to public services: Minister
Related news: Minister urges regions to provide integrated digital public services







Translator: Rangga Pandu AJ, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Azis Kurmala
Copyright © ANTARA 2023