Panwaslu to take down “Thanks Governor” banners

The Jakarta Elections Supervisory Committee (Panwaslu) will take down the ubiquitous “Thank You Mr. Governor” banners installed across the capital as the city has entered the quiet period ahead of the gubernatorial election runoff on Sept. 20.

Panwaslu said Monday that the banners could be considered as one of Governor Fauzi Bowo’s campaign tools.

“It is unfair if the banners are still standing because Governor Fauzi Bowo is competing in the runoff,” said Panwaslu chairman Ramdhansyah at the Jakarta Police Headquarters.

Incumbent Governor Fauzi Bowo and his running mate Nachrowi Ramli will go against Surakarta Mayor Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and Basuki Tjahaja Purnama on Thursday.

The campaign period for the two candidates ended on Sunday.

The banners that show a smiling Fauzi surrounded by Jakarta residents were allegedly installed by Fauzi’s supporters one week ago. His campaign team has said that the banners were not part of Fauzi’s campaign materials.

“If the campaign team said the banners were installed by Fauzi's supporters, then they were responsible for taking them down anyways. The team should be able to control its supporters,” said Ramdhansyah.

According to Ramdansyah, the committee had instructed Fauzi's campaign team to remove the banners on Monday. Should the Panwaslu still spot the banners the following day, it would ask the Jakarta Public Order Officer (Saptol PP) to remove them. (aml/riz/lfr)