VP Jusuf Kalla Calls for 2 Solutions to Improve Electoral System

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Vice President Jusuf Kalla has proposed two solutions to improve upon problems faced during Indonesia’s 2019 elections in which more than 450 polling station workers died.

"The two solutions are the separation of types of elections and developing a closed legislative election system. Therefore, the parties can choose good candidates," Vice President Jusuf Kalla stated at the Vice President’s Office in Jakarta on Monday.

Jusuf Kalla opined that the complexity of counting votes for legislative elections caused many polling workers to die.

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Meanwhile, polling group (KPPS) officers should recount the votes for each legislative candidate at central, provincial and district levels.

"Unification of legislative elections from central, provincial, and district levels through open systems causes polling group officers to work for long periods," he explained.

In addition, the Vice President said that the numbers of political parties in the 2019 elections increased, compared to the 2014 elections. As a result, polling workers had to work extra hours to count the candidates’ votes.

"So, the main problem is not in the presidential elections, but in the legislative elections. The number of political parties in the 2019 legislative elections increased from 10 parties in 2009 to 16 parties this year," Jusuf Kalla added.

Therefore, a study of the 2019 election should be conducted to develop better systems for the next elections.

ANTARA