"(In each) voting organizing team (KPPS), there are two officers that will be ready to accompany people with mental disabilities," Central Jakarta KPU's head of technicalities and organizer, Fitriani, informed here on Friday.
She said the Jakarta KPU will prepare officers who will accompany voters with mental disorders, only if they need it. To avail the assistance, voters will first need to fill out a companion form, she said.
"They will have to fill out a companion form, and the companion can be a family member or a person appointed by the voter," Fitriani said.
She added that voters with mental disabilities can vote as long as they are registered on the permanent voter list (DPT) and have an electronic ID card (e-KTP).
Instead of an e-KTP, they can use a letter of recommendation from a doctor on voting day, she said.
Earlier, Jakarta legislative member Dwi Rio Sambodo asked the government to provide companions for mentally disabled people on voting day as part of an effort to serve the community.
"There needs to be mentoring, guidance, and companionship because they are not the same as normal," he said at the Jakarta Legislative Body (DPRD) meeting on Tuesday (January 2, 2024).
Sambodo said people with mental disorders have the right to vote so facilities must be provided to support their needs at polling stations (TPS).
He expressed the hope that the government would optimally serve them despite the challenges.
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Translator: Siti N, Kenzu
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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