Simultaneous Regional Head Elections (Pilkada) 2020 will take place on Wednesday (9/12) amid the Covid-19 pandemic. To minimize the potential spread of Covid-19, several anticipatory steps, including the implementation of health protocols, must be carried out by the parties involved.
Researcher from the Research Center for Politics and Government (PolGov) Department of Politics and Government, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences UGM, Wegik Prasetyo, explained several points of the Follow-Up Plan (RTL) which became recommendations in the implementation of the election on December 9, 2020, one of which was related to efforts to prevent the Covid-19 transmission at the location by the KPU as the election organizer.
“The KPU as the election organizer will make efforts to prevent the Covid-19 transmission at polling stations by reducing the number of voters at each polling station to a maximum of 500 people, from the previous 800 people, and regulating in detail the implementation of health protocols,” he explained in a written release on Monday (7/12).
This protocol, he added, includes periodic spraying of disinfectants at polling stations, measuring the temperature of voters, completing equipment such as handwashing stations, plastic and medical gloves, trash cans, ink drops, masks, face shields, body temperature measuring devices, and the use of PPE.
These points result from recommendations from the KPU Goes to Campus Webinar entitled “Pilkada in the Middle of a Pandemic: Healthy TPS, Happy Voters” organized by the General Election Commission (KPU) the Special Region of Yogyakarta and universitas Gadjah Mada.
This webinar was the last round of a series of socialization to various campuses in Yogyakarta, which aims to strengthen awareness and formulate steps to involve students and the entire UGM academic community.
It was intended that the 2020 regional elections, especially those held in DIY, can run well and pay attention to the implementation of health protocols.
Wegik added, based on PKPU No 6. 2020, at least six health protocols at polling stations that voters must follow, namely maintaining a safe distance and minimizing physical contact, washing hands, wearing masks that cover from nose to chin, checking body temperature, and using disposable gloves officer, and bring stationery.
In addition to the implementation aspect of the election, the post-election aspect is also essential. Monitoring needs to be carried out on intensive actors at polling locations such as KPPS and witnesses.
“KPU DIY can make circulars to KPPS and witnesses to do self-isolation and medical tests if needed. In addition, the DIY KPU must also have detailed data such as mobile phone numbers and home addresses to facilitate the tracing process,” he explained.
In addition, the DIY KPU must also coordinate with the local Covid-19 task force to carry out post-election monitoring for up to two weeks afterward. The KPU, for example, can socialize a call center that can be contacted if symptoms of Covid-19 occur after the election.
Joint supervision of the implementation of health protocols also needs to be carried out not only by election organizers or related authorities but also by election participants and voters.
Wegik explained that the DIY community, known to have strong social capital and has been tested in various natural disaster events, can be optimized to encourage joint supervision to minimize the negative potential for the spread of Covid-19.
Students, for example, can be encouraged to campaign for joint supervision by going to polling stations (TPS) in the vicinity of their homes.
“Students are also encouraged to initiate the provision of masks and hand sanitizer to residents who have not implemented health protocols both before and after voting at polling stations,” he said.
Source: https://ugm.ac.id/id/berita/20475-cegah-penularan-covid-19-jumlah-pemilih-tiap-tps-akan-dikurangi
