Postponement of the Regional Head Election Could Slow the Performance of Local Governments in Handling Covid-19

Detiktoday.com – Chairman of the Indonesian Parliament Dr. (H.C.) Puan Maharani said that the simultaneous regional elections were more important to strengthen the handling of the Covid-19 pandemic. He emphasized that during a crisis like this, certainty from regional leaders is needed.

Puan explained, Governors and Regents / Mayors are political leaders in the regional level executive whose presence and strategic decisions are urgently needed in dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic. It is known, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the implementation of the 2020 regional elections has been postponed from the original plan to be held in September, has now been postponed to 9 December 2020.

“If 270 regional elections are postponed, then the position of regional heads which is very crucial in times of crisis will only be occupied by task forces with weak legitimacy and limited scope in making decisions, it can actually slow down local government work and create more uncertainty,” he said to opening of the Indonesian Women’s Congress (Kowani), in Jakarta, Tuesday (20/10/2020).

Even though in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic, said Puan, what is needed is speed and certainty that can provide a sense of calm. “The important thing is that we must jointly monitor and remind that the campaigns carried out during the Pilkada really follow strict health protocols,” said Puan.

This PDI-Perjuangan politician asked the regional head candidate pairs to make breakthroughs and innovations in campaigning. “How to reach the people and win their hearts while keeping the people from the threat of Covid-19,” said the Jakarta-born politician.

It is recorded that in the 2020 simultaneous regional elections, there were 157 female candidates consisting of 5 people running as candidates in the Governor Election, 127 people running in the Regent Election, and 25 people running in the Mayor Election. Puan is also waiting for the results of the Pilkada conducted by this female candidate.

“Of course we are waiting for how the people will vote on December 9, 2020. If we believe that politics needs women, then the participation of Indonesian women in politics, apart from representation, must also include substance,” concluded Puan.