REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- National Police Chief General Badrodin Haiti has instructed his officers to optimally secure the simultaneous regional head elections (pilkada) that will be held late this year.
"Every officer must give it their all and seriously secure the elections, to ensure the smooth implementation of the democratic process," the general said here on Tuesday.
The police chief believes that there is potential for the simultaneous elections being organized across the country to trigger conflicts.
"The simultaneous elections face the high risk (of triggering conflicts). Therefore, I gave the order as a preventive measure. It is important because the integrity of the police force is at stake. The capability of the National Police in guarding the pilkada will be questioned," he remarked.
Moreover, police personnel are collecting data from the preparations being made for the implementation of the pilkada and studying them.
"Information on what has been done in each phase is being collected and studied. We knew yesterday that there would be chaos even during registration process," he stated.
According to the chief of the National Police, they have three tasks in guarding the pilkada---to maintain order so the elections run smoothly; to guard and secure the elections process; and to enforce laws against any violator during the pilkada.
Haiti ordered officers to guard public facilities, crucial objects and shopping centers, as well.
The National Police is organizing a roll call for three days, from August 11 to 14, with regard to preparations being made to implement security measures during the simultaneous regional head elections.
President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo will give directives to police officers on Wednesday.
The pilkada will be organized in 269 regions, including nine provinces, 224 districts and 36 cities, on December 9.
Till August 3, the General Elections Commission, as the executor of the elections, registered 838 pairs of candidates contesting for the regional head elections.
Of the total tickets, 21 were candidates for governors and deputies, 115 were for mayors and deputies, and 702 were for district heads and deputies. Of the total 1,676 candidates, 1,555 are men and 121 are women.
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