Ensure That People's Rights Are Secured In Regional Elections

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has called on election organizers to ensure that the political rights of the people are fulfilled during the simultaneous regional elections this year.

"All parties, including the ranks of the General Election Commission (KPU), Elections Supervisory Board (Bawaslu), and Election Supervisory Committee (Panwaslu) should ensure that the political rights of the people are met," President Jokowi remarked on Thursday.

The president made the statement while opening the National Coordination Meeting (Rakornas) at the Jaya Ancol (Ancol DreamLand) in North Jakarta to consolidate the implementation of the 2015 simultaneous regional elections.

Jokowi also called on all relevant parties to ensure that the election process, including the voter registration, voting, ballot counting, and others, runs smoothly, democratically, and peacefully.

"Maintain professionalism and independence as the people want their political rights to be fulfilled," the president noted.

"The simultaneous regional elections must produce competent local leaders who can effectively increase the welfare of the people. All hopes of the people rest on our shoulders," the president said while addressing some three thousand participants of the Rakornas.

In the meantime, Home Affairs Minister Tjahjo Kumolo remarked that participants from all regions across the country were present to attend the Rakornas.

The minister noted that the meeting was also attended by governors of all provinces and leaders of the KPU and Bawaslu.  
Also present at the meeting were Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Minister/State Secretary Pratikno, Coordinating Minister for Culture and Human Development Puan Maharani, and State Intelligence Agency (BIN) Chief Sutyoso, among others.

Minister Tjahjo Kumolo reiterated that the meeting was held to consolidate the simultaneous regional head elections this year to democratically elect regional and deputy regional heads.  
Besides opening the Rakornas, President Jokowi is also scheduled to receive Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Tumbull at the Merdeka Palace at noon on Thursday.

The head of state will thereafter receive the managing board of the Association of Indonesian Provincial Governments at 3:30 p.m. local time. Jokowi will also receive a delegation of the US-ASEAN Business Council at the State Palace. (WDY)