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Indonesian poll body prepares rules for online campaigns ahead of December elections
The sticking points currently under discussion include the types of social media posts and content that can be classified as campaign materials.
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General Elections Commission (KPU) chief Arief Budiman stands in front of the Indonesian poll body's office in Jakarta on July 3. (Antara/Indrianto Eko Suwarso)
T
he General Elections Commission (KPU) is currently working on a set of provisions to regulate how candidates are permitted to campaign online ahead of the December regional elections.
The concurrent elections, which will elect 270 regional heads, are scheduled for Dec. 9, despite an earlier plan to delay them because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The poll body previously urged candidates to stage online campaigns, consisting of social media campaigns and teleconferencing, instead of hosting campaign rallies, to avoid creating crowds that could potentially become sources of virus transmission.
KPU commissioner I Dewa Kade Wiarsa Raka Sandi said the commission was in the process of arranging the guidelines, which will be laid out in an upcoming KPU regulation (PKPU). The campaign period is slated to run for 71 days beginning on Sept. 26.
Dewa said the sticking points currently under discussion included the types of social media posts and content that could be classified as campaign materials.
Read also: December regional polls to cost more than planned, pose health risk
The KPU is also working to determine a list of situations in which candidates will be obliged to hold teleconferencing events instead of campaign rallies.
