REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- President Joko Widodo has expressed hope that all political parties will contribute towards ensuring the success of the simultaneous regional head elections on December 9.
Head of the Presidential Communications Team Teten Masduki said in a press statement received here on Thursday that in a limited cabinet meeting held in the afternoon, President Joko Widodo remarked that all political parties should be able to participate in the elections.
He has urged the General Elections Commission (KPU) and the government to help conflict-ridden parties find solutions to their problems.
Jokowi also asked the coordinating minister for political, security and legal affairs, the minister of justice and human rights, the minister of home affairs, and the KPU to help the Golkar Party and the United Development Party find the best solutions to their issues so that their cadres can take part in the elections.
In addition, the president emphasized the importance of detecting potential problems early, regardless of how small they may be, so they can identify ways to settle them. Even the most insignificant matters must not be ignored and allowed to protract, he pointed out.
He has also called for the organization of funds, including by the central government, so that issues can be settled posthaste.
Indonesia plans to elect nine governors and vice governors, 224 district heads and deputy heads, and 36 city mayors and deputy mayors in the regional elections on December 9.
Based on Law Number 8 of 2015, the elections will be funded primarily by the regional budgets and partly by the national budget.
The cost incurred to implement the elections is estimated to be some Rp7 trillion. All regional governments involved have expressed their readiness to finance them.
However, they hoped that the central government will assist with additional funding to maintain security during the polls.
Moreover, the KPU has scheduled the registration of the candidates for July 26 to 28.