Bawaslu Urges Order for Disrupting, Hazardous Campaign Props

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The head of the General Elections Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) Rahmat Bagja has requested the General Elections Commission (KPU) to remind all contesting parties to be mindful of the hazardous effects of campaign props. 

"Today we will ask our friends in local Bawaslu to pay close attention to the installation of campaign props in cooperating with municipal police. [The campaign props] pose dangers, and have taken victims already," Bagja said as quoted from Antara on Thursday.

Bagja explained that the agencies will take down campaign props that violate regulations. For example, campaign props are installed on utility poles. 

The Bawaslu head also asked all participants to urge those installing the props to be careful. Bagja believed that the installation of campaign props is conducted by paid workers, not directly by the running candidates.

Bawaslu will take action against these campaign props soon. Bagja stressed that any accidents involving the campaign props will be punishable by law.

Campaign props have taken victims before, as seen in a video uploaded by @seputar_jaksel on Instagram on two bloody motorcycle drivers who crashed into flags of political candidates. 

Political observer Adi Prayitno said citizens have the right to criticize campaign props they believe are bothering them. Including ones hindering drivers' visibility, obstructing pedestrians, and those installed in prohibited locations.

Adi revealed two reasons for the lack of resolution on the disrupting campaign props. First was concerning the lack of clear regulation, and second concerning the narrow campaign window. Participants in the general elections raced to install their political attributes simultaneously, resulting in a chaotic situation.

"[General elections] organizers must be stern going forward so the installation does not cut down the campaign period for the participants," he said.

On the other hand, the Acting Governor of Jakarta Heru Budi said he and the Jakarta administration do not have any right to take down campaign props. Instead, he justified the installation of campaign props that Jakarta residents believed to be disrupting. 

"It's just one more month. Let this become the opportunity for them [to campaign] in the name of democracy.

AISYAH AMIRA WAKANG

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