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Finance Ministry allocates Rp 71.3 trillion to ensure success of Pemilu 2024
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(Courtesy of Finance Ministry)
Next year, Indonesia will hold its five-yearly democratic “festival”: the General Election, also known as Pemilu.
Unlike previous elections, 2024 will see a synchronized election encompassing the presidential election and the national and regional legislative elections on Feb. 14, followed by the regional head elections on Nov. 27.
Regardless of the heated competition between political parties and presidential candidates, we pray for a peaceful and safe Pemilu 2024, as political stability is a guarantee of economic stability.
To ensure the success of this democratic event, the Finance Ministry has allocated a budget of Rp 71.3 trillion (US$4.5 billion) for the elections, covering a 20-month period from 2022 to election day in 2024.
The election budget’s annual breakdowns are as follows:
- Rp 3.1 trillion in 2022;
- Rp 30.0 trillion in 2023; and
- Rp 38.2 trillion in 2024.
Budgeting Director General Isa Rachmatarwata explained that the election budget covered various aspects such as determining the number of seats, monitoring election organizers, updating voter data and delineating constituencies, as well as logistics and procurement. The majority of the funds was allocated to the General Elections Commission (KPU) and the Elections Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu).
Isa also revealed that actual expenditures for the 2024 General Election reached Rp 2.7 trillion, or 88.2 percent of the 2022 election budget. As of Sept. 30, this year’s election spending had reached 17.8 trillion, or 59.3 percent of the 2023 election budget.
Two-round budget allocation
The Rp 38.2 trillion budgeted for next year’s elections is part of the 2024 State Revenue and Expenditure Budget (APBN).
According to Isa, this fund covers preparations for the first round of the 2024 General Election. The Finance Ministry has also set aside additional funding in the event that the presidential election progresses to a runoff round, which is tentatively scheduled to be held on June 26, 2024.
"We have prepared enough funds, don't worry. If there is a second round of the presidential election, we will have the funds ready, so we are prepared. Let's hope for the best for Indonesia," he said.
The election budget represents an investment in Indonesian democracy. The success of the 2024 General Election will determine the legitimacy of both the country’s national and regional leadership, as well as the political vital to national development.
Conversely, failure to hold fair and free elections would result in incalculable potential losses to the nation and the state, as well as the Indonesian people.
Organizing the elections stimulates all sectors of society, not only its social and political spheres, but also the economy. The election budget covering logistics, goods and services indirectly boosts all sectors related to production and distribution.
Spending and consumption related to the 2024 General Election, from central election institutions down to paid election volunteers, also contribute indirectly to stimulate the buying power of consumers across the archipelago. Furthermore, spending on campaign events and promotional materials will have a trickle-down effect to positively impact grassroots economies.
The 2024 election budget therefore has an economic reach that goes beyond financing the technical aspects of holding next year’s elections. It contributes to various national priority programs, ultimately serving as a long-term investment in the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia.
Let us welcome the 2024 General Election with our collective commitment to avoid hate speech, hoaxes and polarization. Let us make the 2024 General Election a joyful celebration of Indonesian democracy, filled with the spirit of equal progress and prosperity.
Source: The Finance Ministry
