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Young people step up as poll workers in wake of 2019 election deaths
As the simultaneous presidential and legislative elections on Feb. 14 get nearer, more young people are volunteering as poll administrators (KPPS) to ease the burden of older volunteers in the light of the deaths of hundreds of poll workers in the previous elections in 2019.
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A local poll administrator (KPPS) helps an elderly voter put a ballot paper into a ballot box during a 2024 election voting simulation in Boyolali, Central Java on Dec. 27, 2023. The Boyolali Elections Commission (KPU) held the simulation as training for poll station workers and public education for the general public on the 2024 general election. (Antara/Aloysius Jarot Nugroho)
As the simultaneous presidential and legislative elections on Feb. 14 get nearer, more young people are volunteering as poll administrators (KPPS) to ease the burden of older volunteers in the light of the deaths of hundreds of poll workers in the previous elections in 2019.
Due to the strenuous work, over 5,000 poll workers fell ill and nearly 900 died in the 2019 elections, an unprecedented toll in Indonesia’s election history. Most of those who died in 2019 ranged from 50 to 70 years of age and had accompanying health conditions such as diabetes and hypertension, and high levels of cholesterol.
The tragedy prompted the General Elections Commission (KPU) to introduce a maximum age limit and stricter health requirements for people applying to be poll administrators this year. Applicants must be aged from 17 to 55 years and undergo health checkups and present a medical letter that includes their blood pressure, as well as blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
This appeared to attract more younger people to apply for the paid volunteering jobs.
