Jakarta (ANTARA) - Home Affairs Minister Muhammad Tito Karnavian affirmed his support to the General Election Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) to take punitive measures against civil servants breaking their commitment to neutrality during the Regional Head Elections (Pilkada) 2024.
Speaking to the media after casting his votes at a polling station in Senayan, Jakarta, on Wednesday, he highlighted that the Bawaslu has the authority to take three measures against biased civil servants.
Karnavian noted that under the first measure, the supervisory body could conduct an in-depth investigation of civil servants allegedly failing to remain neutral and then delegate those proven to be violating impartiality rules to civil service supervisory officers for legal actions.
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Speaking of the second measure, he highlighted that the Bawaslu may impose sanctions on civil servants for breaking neutrality.
Elaborating on the third measure, the minister underscored that the Bawaslu could coordinate with the National Police (Polri) and Attorney General's Office within the Integrated Law Enforcement (Gakkumdu) framework to follow up on an electoral criminal offense committed by civil servants.
"I am optimistic that firm actions by the Bawaslu will help Indonesia slash (electoral violations) and offer a deterrence effect on impartial civil servants," he emphasized.
Furthermore, Karnavian underscored that the Ministry of Home Affairs, tasked with guiding and monitoring regional governments, also plays a role in the realizing successful Pilkada 2024.
He affirmed that the ministry is committed to supporting the General Elections Commission (KPU) in holding local elections and providing assistance in security, budgeting, facilities, and infrastructure.
Along with election organizers and the House of Representatives (DPR), he highlighted that the Home Affairs Ministry will evaluate this year's elections to pave the way for better elections in the future.
