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Election campaign kicks off with peace pledge
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President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo (second left) as the incumbent in next year’s election is flanked by his running mate Ma'ruf Amin (left) and by Gerindra Party chairman Prabowo Subianto (second right), who is running for president with Sandiaga Uno (right) as his vice-presidential pick. (kompas.com/Abba Gabrilin)
T
he campaign period for the 2019 presidential and legislative elections has officially kicked off, as election participants signed a declaration pledging a "peaceful campaign" at the National Monument (Monas) Park in Central Jakarta on Sunday.
Presidential and vice presidential hopefuls, political party leaders and Jakarta Representatives Council (DPD) candidates attended the event, which was organized by the General Elections Commission (KPU), clad in traditional attire from various parts of Indonesia.
"We, the participants of the 2019 general elections, promise to […] conduct an election campaign that is safe, orderly, peaceful, honorable and free from hoaxes, SARA [ethnic, religious, social or racial] politicization and vote buying," said the declaration read out by the candidates.
President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo wore Balinese clothing, while Gerindra Party chairman Prabowo Subianto wore traditional Central Javan attire. Jokowi's running mate, Ma'ruf Amin, on the other hand, was clad in his typical dress shirt and sarong, while Prabowo's running mate Sandiaga Uno wore a traditional Melayu outfit.
United Development Party (PPP) chairman Romahurmuziy stole the show by dressing up as Gatotkaca, a popular hero from the Mahabharata stories.
Party leaders from both the government camp and the opposition reiterated their commitment to a peaceful and constructive campaign.
"A peaceful campaign is very important, because we have elections every five years. It would not be right for us to fight every five years," National Mandate Party (PAN) chairman Zulkifli Hasan said. "This is a contest between brothers, friends and family members."
Golkar chairman Airlangga Hartarto echoed Zulkifli's sentiment.
"The Golkar Party will always campaign positively," he said. (swd)
