Poll watchdog removes illegal banners

JAKARTA: Jakarta’s Election Supervisory Committee (Panwaslu) reported that it had taken down a total of 13,640 illegal election-related banners and similar promotional media following a joint operation with the City Public Order office since June 14.

“The number will increase as our operation is still ongoing,” Panwaslu chairman Ramdansyah said on Friday.

Ramdansyah said that most of the illegal banners, posters and stickers found across the capital promoted the Hidayat Nur Wahid-Didik J. Rachbini pairing — with a total of 5,458 items.

The operation also found 3,642 items displaying Alex Noerdin-Nono Sampono; 2,667 displaying Fauzi Bowo-Nachrowi Ramli; 749 of Joko “Jokowi” Widodo-Basuki “Ahok” Tjahja Purnama; 692 of Faisal Batubara-Biem Benyamin; and 432 of Hendardji-Riza.

The official campaigning period for the gubernatorial election will last for two weeks, starting on June 24. Until then, candidates are not allowed to hold campaigning activities or use promotional media. Polling day is scheduled for July 11.