REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) urged Muslims to use their right to vote on elections. The call came ahead of simultaneous regional elections which will be held on June 27 in 171 regions in Indonesia.

MUI deputy chairman, Zainut Tauhid Sa’adi expected people to choose candidates based on their track record, especially in matters of morals. He asserted Muslims should use their right to vote with consciousness, commitment, and honored.

“Regional elections become means to choose regional head through democratic election system, direct, general, free, and secret. So Muslims should use their right to vote with full awareness, responsibility, and dignity," said Zainut on Sunday (June 24).

Also read: 2018 simultaneous regional elections to run safely: Tjahjo

Zainut also said regional elections should not cause divisions in society. According to him, the difference must be faced with full maturity, mutual respect, and honor. This will be achieved if all parties prioritize the spirit of fraternity and national unity,  above the interests of their respective political groups.

He asked religious figures, society, and all parties to be able to take part in maintaining the unity of the Indonesian nation in the momentum of regional elections simultaneously. Ahead of regional elections, they should create calm and safe situation, also when the event started.

Furthermore, Zainut urged all regional elections organizers to work professionally, honestly and fairly. He also asked all the participants to avoid dirty practices, such as black campaigns, provocations, hate speech, slander, intimidation, and money politics.

“So people can use their right to vote with full awareness, happy without pressure and coercion," he said.

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