59 Election Candidates Infected by Covid-19; Mahfud Md: Don't Take This Lightly
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10 September 2020 08:19 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Mahfud Md called on all candidates of the Regional Head Election or Pilkada to comply with health protocols against Covid-19.
“Do not take this Covid-19 lightly. Abide by the health protocols, be disciplined in wearing masks as to not endanger yourself and others. The government is now focused on keeping the Pilkada safe from Covid-19,” said Mahfud after meeting with the General Election Commission (KPU) on Wednesday, September 9.
The KPU reported that 59 regional head candidates were tested positive for the coronavirus disease and that the number was rising.
“The KPU head submits a report in yesterday’s meeting with the president that 37 candidates are infected. At 1 p.m. (Sept. 9), the number rises to 46, and it is updated 1.5 hours later to 58 people in 21 provinces. And we have just received one additional positive case to 59 people,” Mahfud Md explained.
According to him, the rising positive cases must be concerned by further tightening the health protocols during the Pilkada process.
KPU commissioner I Dewa Raka previously said that regional head candidates contracting Covid-19 would not be disqualified. “It is not the requirement of the disqualification,” said Dewa to Tempo on Sunday, September 6.
Read also: Mahfud MD Notes KPK's Supervision Over Prosecutor Pinangki Case
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