VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

President Joko Widodo wants an improvement in the practice of democracy in the regional elections which will take place on Dec. 9 in 270 regions.

"Apart from strictly implementing health protocols, I want to improve and maintain the quality of our democracy," the head of state said at the State Palace, Jakarta, Tuesday, during a virtual conference meeting to discuss preparations for regional elections.

In the wake of challenging times, Jokowi is pursuing a more mature democracy, as he called on bureaucratic personnel along with the army and police forces to maintain neutrality and not favor certain candidate pairs.

Jokowi also reminded the General Election Commission and its regional offices to not allow narratives that can trigger the disunity to run wild among the public. He urged the Commission to make serious efforts to ensure quality, neutral, professional, and transparent elections.

"Do not allow the use of language, narratives, and symbols that endanger the unity and integrity of society. Ensure no practice of identity politics, race, religion, and inter-group politics since they can endanger unity and integrity," he affirmed.

The president expressed the belief that bodies organizing elections play significant roles in maintaining the quality of democracy and political stability, and how the people get the results of elections.

Jokowi also appealed to community and religious figures, activists, and academics in all regions to support such efforts.

To maintain the neutrality of civil apparatuses, several institutions, including the Ministry of Administrative and Bureaucratic Reforms and the Elections Supervisory Board, have readied a joint document on the neutrality guidelines.
Regional elections will be held in 270 areas, including nine provinces, 224 districts, and 37 cities.

It was initially scheduled to take place in Sep. 23, but was postponed to December due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Antaranews)