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Election watchdog calls for end to disruptions of Ahok campaign
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Incumbent Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama speaks to residents in Lentang Agung, South Jakarta. (JP/Callistasia Anggun Wijaya)
T
he Elections Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) has warned Jakartans not to disrupt the election campaign of any candidate because to do so is against the law and such actions can be categorized as a crime.
“There should be no more disruptions if the candidates are campaigning according to the law,” said Bawaslu chairman Muhammad as reported by tribunnews.com in Jakarta on Friday.
He said any effort to disturb campaigns was a crime, as outlined in the Law on Regional Elections.
Muhammad, however, admitted that his organization had not prepared for the scale of anger presently being directed toward incumbent Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama and his running mate Djarot saiful Hidayat.
“We did not expect these kinds of practices to happen. It is really new. After the incident in Rawa Belong, we are coordinating with the Jakarta Police,” said Muhammad.
In Rawa Belong, West Jakarta, on Nov. 2, Ahok was forced to leave the area after protestors turned aggressive. One of Ahok’s supporters was hospitalized as a result of the incident.
After the incident, the Jakarta Police deployed more officers to Kedoya, West Jakarta, on Thursday, to support Ahok’s attempt to campaign and meet with voters. However, Ahok was again forced to cancel the event. (bbn)
