Head of the KPU’s data and information division, Betty Epsilon Idroos, said that some countries, such as China, have said that polling stations cannot be built outside their boundaries, namely in Hong Kong and Macau.
“It is a similar situation in the Czech Republic. We are aware of the condition after our stipulation. Thus, we will discuss the solution in a plenary meeting,” Idroos informed.
She said that there are three options for overseas elections: using overseas polling stations, mobile ballot boxes (KSK), and post.
The post is a safe option because every post package bears a complete address. If the receiver is not found, the post package is returned to the sender — the KPU and the Overseas Election Committee (PPLN) in this case — for safekeeping, she added.
Idroos informed that the Czech Republic does not allow mobile ballot boxes, so a mechanism to shift to post is still under discussion.
“The decision is final, but there are conditions beyond our control that stop the process because (overseas elections are) based on each country’s jurisdiction,” she stated.
Earlier, KPU established polling stations in 128 representative countries, with the total number of PPLNs, mobile ballot boxes, and post outlets reaching 3,059.
The number of overseas Indonesian voters has been recorded at 1,750,474, comprising 751,260 men and 999,214 women.
Idroos said that any changes regarding the 2024 overseas elections need to be adapted to each country’s jurisdiction policy.
This can affect the distribution of logistics, which need to be sent at least a month before voting day, as assigned by each PPLN.
On November 13, 2023, the KPU announced the names of the three candidate pairs contesting the 2024 Presidential and Vice Presidential Election.
Based on a draw, the Anies Baswedan-Muhaimin Iskandar pair has been assigned official number 1, the Prabowo Subianto-Gibran Rakabuming Raka pair has been given official number two, and Ganjar Pranowo-Mahfud MD number 3.
The KPU has set the campaign period from November 28, 2023, to February 10, 2024. Voting will take place on February 14, 2024.
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Translator: Azis Kurmala
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2023
