Jakarta (ANTARA) - Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian reminded regional heads to help distribute logistics for the 2024 elections and prepare health facilities for election officers during voting day on February 14.

In a statement from his office on Monday, Karnavian noted that this effort is needed especially to accommodate remote areas.

"Therefore, we ask for support from regional governments," he remarked.

According to the minister, remote areas comprise islands with big waves, areas on mountains or in forests, and areas hit by disasters.

In addition, the minister urged regional governments to prepare health facilities, such as clinics and community health center (puskesmas), to assist weary voting organizing team (KPPS) members by reflecting and learning from the 2019 election during which scores of election officers had fallen ill due to fatigue.

Despite an age limit for election officers been set to avoid victims, preventive efforts must still be taken, he stressed.

"Health workers can be readied to help tired election officers. No health facilities shall close on February 14, especially puskesmas and clinic," he emphasized.

Karnavian noted that Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin had also instructed health facilities to help assisting election officers. However, Sadikin has no authority to districts and cities like the regional heads.

"The person who has the authority is the regional head. Therefore, once again, the regional head please alert the health network on the front line, especially polyclinics and puskesmas," Karnavian stated.

He also highlighted the importance of regional governments accommodating election organizers with adequate facilities and infrastructure, such as by providing buildings for the regional General Elections Commission (KPU) and the General Elections Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu), including warehouse, to store logistics.

"Once again, I am reminding all parties because we only have two days left," he remarked.

On the other hand, Karnavian also urged regional governments to educate the public about exercising their right to vote. This is important because higher voter participation will provide strong legitimacy to those elected, both the head of state and legislative member.

"Regional governments can disseminate information on the right to vote to the public to succeed this democratic party and for the sake of Indonesian democracy," he added.

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Translator: Narda Margaretha S, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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