Jayapura – National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) of the Republic of Indonesia
Representatives of Papua Province hope that there will be security guarantees in the implementation of simultaneous regional head elections (Pilkada) which will take place in 2024. This hope was conveyed by the Head of Representative of Komnas HAM Papua, Frits Ramandey, to the regional leadership coordination forum (Forkopimda) in the Tanah Papua region.
Frits Ramandey explained that Komnas HAM has a strong commitment to uniting the implementation of the Simultaneous Regional Elections in Papua. the importance of creating regional elections that take place in an inclusive, free and fair manner, and in line with human rights principles.
Ramandey emphasized the need for the Papua Province General Election Commission (KPU) to guarantee that the Pilkada system and governance is inclusive. This is intended so that the right to vote for vulnerable marginalized groups, such as people with disabilities, patients and health workers, can be properly accommodated. He asked the Election Supervisory Body (Bawaslu) in each region in Papua to carry out systematic supervision at every stage of the Pilkada. This is expected to ensure that the voting rights of vulnerable marginalized groups are fulfilled.
The importance of integrity in the regional election process is also a concern for Ramandey. He hopes that regional head candidates, success teams and supporters from political parties will carry out this election process with full responsibility. He reminded us to avoid the practice of transactional politics and identity politics which often exploit ethnic, religious, racial and inter-group (SARA) issues.
Furthermore, he invited all citizens who will exercise their right to vote in the regional elections to participate actively and responsibly. This is considered as part of fulfilling their constitutional rights. Finally, Ramandey emphasized that serious attention will be given to fulfilling the voting rights of vulnerable marginalized groups, especially in providing accessibility and adequate facilities, as well as friendly ones for groups that require special attention in the election process.
