“Conducting a simulation is important to ensure voting procedures are prepared amid the pandemic,” Ganjar told The Jakarta Post on Friday.

He also emphasized the importance of arranging time slots for voting. “So people can take turns to vote, to avoid crowds [which could lead to COVID-19 transmission]."

On Dec. 9, Central Java will see voters in 21 out of its 35 cities and regencies elect new mayors and regents.

Ganjar said all participating cities and regencies were financially ready, but had yet to procure protective equipment required for election officials as part of the health protocols prepared by the KPU to prevent virus transmission among officials, candidates and voters.

The simultaneous elections, which have been pushed back from Sept. 23 due to the outbreak, will see the election of 270 regional leaders across Indonesia, comprising nine governors, 224 regents and 37 mayors. The regions holding elections include Surabaya and 18 other cities and regencies in East Java, the province hit hardest by COVID-19.

KPU commissioner I Dewa Kade Wiarsa Raka Sandi said the latest KPU regulation on health protocols had gone through a third review after being given the green light by the House of Representatives, and would be made official soon.

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