REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA — General Election Commission (KPU) said there was no criminal sanction for individuals who were abstained in 2019 election. The institution optimistic non-voters or called golput problem can be handled by organisers and election participants.

KPU commissioner Hasyim Asy’ari stressed that criminal sanction for non-voters are not regulated in Law 7/2017 on Election. He said criminal sanction can be taken by Election Supervisory Board (Bawaslu). However, it must be strengthened by a legal basis.

“There must be provisions, regarding the action that taken, whether it is included in election law or not,” said Hasyim on Thursday (March 28).

KPU commissioner Viryan Azis said that the discourse to provide criminal sanctions for individuals who abstained in election should not be done. He assessed it is not only there were no clear basis of law regulation, but also the potential for abstentions can be handled.

“It’s better to not be given sanction, because Law 7/2017 on Election did not regulate it,” said Viryan.

Viryan said it is better to handle non-voters with optimizing education to the people. In addition, KPU also seeks to improve the services of the ranks of election organizers at the regional level, so people can be accommodated.

In addition, Viryan said election participants can make positive programs in the remaining time of this campaign period. He believed if all aspects are good, then people will be interested to vote.

Earlier, Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Wiranto said people who invited others to be golput (non-voters) could be penalized. According to him, the act is disruptive, that can be snared with Election Law,  Information, and electronic Transactions (ITE), and even Terrorism Law.

“People who invited others to be golput are disrupting, there are laws that regulate to threat them,” said Wiranto.

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