REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Minister of Home Affairs Tjahjo Kumolo asserted that the National Police has to investigate thoroughly the fake news regarding the finding of seven containers of cast ballots. He officially reported the case to the National Police Criminal Investigation Unit on Thursday (Jan 3).

"Today, at 11.00 WIB, I came to the Police Criminal Investigation Office. I asked the National Police to investigate the news about seven containers containing cast ballots," Tjahjo said in a written statement on Thursday (Jan 3).

Furthermore, Tjahjo also stated that he supported move of the General Election Committee (KPU) to ask the police to thoroughly investigate the hoax on cast ballots. Minister invited all parties to fight hoax, which according to him was the poison of democracy.

"We also ask the police to legally investigate the slander news regarding President Joko Widodo. We invite all parties to respect the country's symbol and let us oppose the poisons of democracy for the realization of a dignified democracy while maintaining national unity," he asserted.

KPU Commissioner, Hasyim Asy'ari, said that the rumor on thousands of cast ballots could endanger the election. Therefore, KPU officially submitted report documents to the National Police Bareskrim on Thursday afternoon.

"Any information about that, whether from news links, social media accounts or voice recordings that say there are seven containers of cast ballots are dangerous," Hasyim told reporters at Bawaslu Office, Jakarta on Thursday.

Based on the circulated information said that the total number of cast ballots in seven containers reached 80 million. "The 80 million number is almost half of the 2019 Election voters which are more than 190 million people. This is dangerous. It is de-legitimizing KPU as the election organizer and the election process itself," said Hasyim.

Thus, KPU formally submitted a report to the National Police. Hasyim explained that there were a number of things KPU reported to the police, particularly about the spread of informations that were incorrect and irresponsible.

"Propagator of the hoax should be found and the perpetrator must be held accountable. Because it damages the credibility of the election and the election organizers," he added.

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