Bawaslu Reminds of Election Campaign Violations During Ramadan: Politicization of Identity and SARA
Jakarta — Member of the Republic of Indonesia’s Election Supervisory Board (Bawaslu), Lolly Suhenty warned that there is still potential for campaign violations in the upcoming 2024 elections during the holy month of Ramadan.
“We both know that the month of Ramadan, which we will soon pass, often becomes an occasion for potential violations,” he said.
He added that the thing that often happens regarding violations in elections during Ramadan is a covert campaign.
“A covert campaign effort which then has the potential for identity politicization, SARA politicization which then uses the holy month of Ramadan,” said Lolly.
Not only that, but according to him there is another potential for violations committed by election participants, namely carrying out campaigns in prohibited places such as places of education, government and places of worship.
The reason is, referring to the 2019 election event, it turns out that there are still attempts to lead to covert campaigns in prohibited places.
“Looking at the events in 2019, for example, there have been attempts to lead to campaigns in places where it is prohibited,” he said.
Therefore, Lolly stated that the Bawaslu continues to seek constructive communication with election participants so that potential violations do not occur.
“To make prevention efforts from the start we build constructive communication with political party friends,” he said.
Firmly, he appealed to political parties to avoid covert campaigns.
This refers to Article 280 of the Election Law No. 7/2017 concerning General Elections, namely covert campaigns may not be carried out outside the campaign schedule and outside the places that are permitted.
With many appeals and continuous communication, Lolly hopes that this holy month of Ramadan will be free from potential violations in the 2024 election.
“Hopefully, with this effort, the Ramadan that we will pass will be free from allegations of election violations,” he said.
Usually in the month of Ramadan there will be many parties who do good and give alms.
Therefore, the Bawaslu issued a warning so that the public could be aware whether it was purely a form of charity or it turned out to be a covert campaign.
“What Bawaslu prohibits is what is prohibited by Law number 7 of 2017, for example promising to give money or other materials, whether during the campaign period, during the counting period or during the quiet period,” said Lolly.
