Indonesian Regional Elections to Continue Despite COVID-19

Indonesian regional elections held in 2018.

As COVID-19 cases in Indonesia continue to increase, the archipelagic state has decided to conduct regional elections on December 9. The elections, initially slated for September 23, had previously been postponed in light of the pandemic. 

The COVID-19 situation in Indonesia has continued to worsen, with more than 4,000 cases announced each day. As of October 2, Indonesia has reported 295,499 cases. Despite the data and multiple warnings from epidemiologists, the government announced its intention to proceed with the regional elections (locally known as pilkada). 

“The Regional Election 2020 is still on schedule [...] in honour of the people’s constitutional rights, the right to participate, and the right to be elected. This Regional Election will proceed with a strict health protocol with serious consequences from the law if not met,” wrote the President’s spokesperson, Radjroel Rachman, in a statement released by Kompas. 

The National Commission of Human Rights criticized the statement, questioning the meaning of the strict health protocol planned for implementation. They inquired into the difference between the COVID-19 health protocol practiced thus far and the strict one proposed in the statement. 

In a video, Indonesian President Joko Widodo (popularly known as Jokowi) told viewers, “This Regional Election needs to proceed. We cannot wait for this pandemic to end because nobody knows when it will end.” He then continued to emphasize that the health and wellbeing of the Indonesian people would always be his priority.

63 candidates and the organizer of the regional elections have contracted COVID-19. Additionally, there have been three reported deaths of candidates due to COVID-19. 

Widodo’s spokesperson has  claimed that holding the regional elections would provide an opportunity for Indonesia to show the world its ability to carry out its democratic duties. The claim has met notable backlash, as citizens express that international reputation has little significance compared to the rate of COVID-19 cases in Indonesia. 

Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Mahfud MD has responded to the criticism by comparing Indonesia’s decision to the plans for the presidential election in the United States, which will proceed during the pandemic. 

There has been significant pushback to the decision to continue with the regional elections from multiple prominent voices, such as the Nahdlatul ‘Ulama and Muhammadiyah (two of Indonesia’s largest Muslim organizations), former vice president Jusuf Kalla, and the National Commission of Human Rights. As a result, multiple campaigns have begun to spread around the internet, encouraging citizens to “golput,” or abstain from the election.

As of today, it is still unclear what strict health protocols will be enacted and whether voter turnout will decrease during this regional election. What is clear, however, is that Indonesia’s handling of this election is a worrying continuation of the country’s unpopular legislative decisions amid the COVID-19 pandemic.