Jakarta (ANTARA) - The government will continue to hold the Regional Head Elections (Pilkada) on November 27, 2024, according to Juri Ardiantoro, a deputy at the Presidential Staff Office (KSP).

"The government continues to adhere to the legal framework in which the Pilkada will be held in November 2024," he said in Jakarta on Friday.

Earlier, the Head of the General Election Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu), Rahmat Bagja, stated on Wednesday, as quoted from Bawaslu's official website, that the option to delay the simultaneous 2024 Pilkada should be discussed.

This is because the implementation of Pilkada overlaps with the 2024 General Election (Pemilu), and there may potentially be security disturbances.

"While we understand that there are complications, Pemilu organizers are urged to focus on adjusting the stages and managing resources to handle the overlapping schedule for Pemilu and Pilkada," Ardiantoro stated.

He also stressed that there will be no vacant positions ahead of the Regional Head Election, as there are already acting regional heads.

Earlier, Bagja stated that Bawaslu had expressed concern over the implementation of the 2024 Regional Head Election, as the voting would begin in November 2024 while the inauguration of the newly elected president is scheduled for October 2024.

"Of course, there could be changes in the set of ministers and officials. Therefore, we suggest that we discuss the possibility of postponing the regional election because this is the first time it will be held simultaneously," Bagja elaborated.

If there is a security disturbance in a region, the police may have difficulty receiving assistance from officers in other regions, as other regions will also be holding the Regional Head Election.

Bawaslu then suggested to the government and the General Election organizer, namely the General Elections Commission (KPU), to discuss the option of delaying the 2024 Simultaneous Regional Head Election.

As stipulated in KPU Regulation No. 3 of 2022 on the 2024 General Election Implementation Stages and Schedule, the voting day for the 2024 Regional Head Election is set for November 27, 2024.

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Translator: Desca Lidya N, Fadhli Ruhman
Editor: Anton Santoso
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