Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia's General Elections Commission (KPU) will invite several parties, including scholars and journalists, to discuss the mechanism for the presidential and vice presidential debates ahead of the 2024 General Election.

According to KPU chairperson Hasyim Asy’ari, starting from Wednesday (November 29, 2023), the commission will invite many groups deemed competent to discuss the debate mechanism.

"(The participants will be drawn) From scholars, government officials, journalists, non-governmental organizations, and civilians," he informed at the KPU building in Jakarta on Tuesday.

The meeting will aim to prepare the debate's mechanism and discuss topics prescribed by the Electoral Law. The parties will also discuss debate methods, including duration and other aspects.

Asy’ari further said that the commission will invite the candidates' teams while conveying the results of the discussion.

The step is aimed at ensuring that the questions and problems for the debate are known well in advance.

KPU member Idham Holik earlier said that the three pairs of presidential and vice presidential candidates will sign an integrity pact, committing to realizing a peaceful election.

"Yes, they will sign an integrity pact," Holik told ANTARA on Monday.

He said that for a peaceful election declaration, Asy'ari will remind all election participants to maintain a conducive situation and security during the election.

"KPU Head Hasyim Asy'ari will convey a message for a peaceful, safe, and conducive election," he stated.

He informed that the declaration will be attended by the three pairs of presidential and vice presidential candidates, the general chairs of political parties participating in the election, and representatives of candidates of the Regional Representatives Council (DPD).

"We also invited political party leaders, presidential and vice presidential candidates, and DPD member candidates," Holik said.

On November 13, the KPU announced the names of the candidates participating in the 2024 presidential and vice presidential elections.

Based on the results of a draw, the Anies Baswedan-Muhaimin Iskandar pair was assigned official number 1, Prabowo Subianto-Gibran Rakabuming Raka number two, and Ganjar Pranowo-Mahfud MD number 3.

The KPU set the campaign period from November 28, 2023, to February 10, 2024. Voting is scheduled to take place on February 14, 2024.

Related news: KPU to hold 6-segment presidential debate in 2024
Related news: KPU completes preparations for Jokowi-Prabowo pair's final debate







Translator: M Ramdan, Lutfia, Azis Kurmala
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2023