"We have currently entered the phase of election campaigning for the 2024 General Elections," he noted in Jayapura, the capital of Papua Province, on Friday.
He added that he has appealed to all community members to disregard provocative actions and calls for disturbing public law and order by anyone or any group.
He also urged armed separatist groups operating in certain parts of Papua to not indulge in activities that could disrupt public law and order.
Aside from two recent security disturbances caused by armed groups in the districts of Mimika and Puncak, the security situation in Papua has remained relatively calm and peaceful during the election campaign period, Fakhiri said.
He informed that he has instructed resort police chiefs to exercise restraint to prevent both security personnel and community members from falling victim to the armed groups' acts of violence.
The General Elections Commission (KPU) has officially set a 75-day election campaign period for the three pairs of presidential and vice presidential candidates from November 28 this year to February 10 next year.
All participating political parties and presidential contenders have pledged to conduct peaceful presidential and parliamentary elections, which will be held simultaneously on February 14 next year.
ANTARA reported earlier that over the past few years, armed Papuan groups have often employed hit-and-run tactics against Indonesian security personnel and mounted acts of terror against civilians in the districts of Intan Jaya, Nduga, and Puncak to instill fear among the local people.
The targets of such acts of terror have included construction workers, motorcycle taxi (ojek) drivers, teachers, students, street food vendors, and even civilian aircraft.
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Translator: Ardiles L, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Anton Santoso
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