Presenting his remarks after visiting Soponyono Market in Surabaya, East Java, the president noted that in this year's regional elections, 41 out of more than 500 polls nationwide will have only a single candidate.
"That is the current reality. That is part of our democracy," the president stated, as observed through the Presidential Secretariat online medium here on Friday.
The single-candidate election reflects the democratic situation in respective provinces, cities, or districts. As the condition arises from a democratic ecosystem, it should be accepted by the people, he added.
The General Elections Commission (KPU) earlier revealed that local elections in 41 regions will have only a single candidate even after the registration of candidates in those regions was extended.
"The registration of candidates (in regions with only a single candidate) was closed on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, at 11:59 local time," KPU Chairperson Mochammad Afifuddin noted in his written statement on Thursday.
He highlighted that the 41 regions comprise a province, West Papua, 35 districts, and five cities. North Sumatra became the province with the most single-candidate elections in its six districts, followed by East Java with five districts and cities.
Despite running against no other candidate, the KPU would designate an electoral number to the single candidate for the November 24, 2024, poll.
Two regions that were initially reported to have a single district head candidate -- Pohuwato District in Gorontalo and Siau Tagulandang Biaro Islands District in North Sulawesi -- got their additional election candidate during the registration extension period.
The election law stated that the only candidate should contest against the none-of-the-above option, locally known as the "empty box," and obtain the majority votes to win the election.
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Translator: Andi Firdaus, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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