Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) announced that the government has decided to increase the incentive allowance for officials of the General Elections Commission (KPU) by 50 percent.

He made the statement while speaking at the National Preparedness Consolidation for the 2024 Simultaneous Regional Elections in Jakarta on Tuesday.

He apologized to all KPU members, noting that the government had not increased their incentive allowance since he took office in 2014.

Jokowi said that he would not attend the event if he had not signed a decree to boost the incentive allowance.

"Shortly after discovering the allowance had been stagnant since 2014, we recalculated it and decided on a 50 percent increase," he told the participating KPU staff, who broke out into applause.

Jokowi jestedly said that he is aware that KPU members were more interested in the announcement about the incentive allowance than in his presence.

In his speech, he extended appreciation and respect to central and regional KPU officials for their dedication, which led to successful presidential and legislative elections earlier this year.

"I am well aware that your fatigue may not have completely subsided," he said. "Nevertheless, you will soon face the various stages of the simultaneous regional elections.'

Despite praising KPU officials for possessing adequate experience, Jokowi urged them to continue to make breakthroughs to present high-quality regional elections whose results are legitimate in the eyes of the public.

"I expect you to conduct the regional elections with dedication and responsibility," he said.

Meanwhile, KPU Chairman M. Afifuddin stated that the event aimed to disseminate current rules and regulations and gather feedback to ensure the upcoming elections' success.

The event involved 3,743 participants, including 406 central KPU members and state officials.

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Translator: Rangga P, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Anton Santoso
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