Bawaslu: Mosques, Churches Must Be Free of Political Campaigns
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25 March 2019 19:50 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Elections Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) reminded the campaign teams of presidential candidates not to use houses of worship as campaign sites.
Bawaslu member Rahmat Bagja said the agency had issued a circular to general election participants on this matter.
“Preventive measures have been taken. We involved elections supervisory committees (Panwas), MUI and the Mosque Council,” Rahmat told Tempo on Monday.
Rahmat underlined the fact that campaigning in houses of worship such as mosques or churches is considered as a violation against Article 521 of the General Election Law No.7/2017.
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He then asserted this circular did not bar people from generally discussing political issues, but rather prevented people from politically steering the political views of an entire congregation towards a certain presidential candidate.
“Talking about politics isn’t barred, go ahead and do so. What’s not allowed is herding people to support a certain candidate or political party,” he assured.
IQBAL TAWAKAL LAZUARDI (CONTRIBUTOR)
