Aisyah Amira Wakang, Jakarta – The Coordinator of Prevention and Public Participation Division of the Jakarta General Elections Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) Burhanuddin urged the running candidates of the 2024 general elections to avoid engaging in money politics.
According to him on Monday, the candidates were not allowed to distribute money or food donations during the campaign period.
Bawaslu Jakarta recorded a high Election Vulnerability Index (IKP) level in the province, touching 88.95 points. Some instances of money politics occurred during the governor's election. Additionally, several cases of campaign material involving hoaxes, hate speech, and racial discrimination have been identified on social media.
Burhanuddin said money politics often occurred during a bazaar or charity event. Thus, he added, campaign organizers for running candidates must pay attention to what is and is not allowed to be distributed to the participants of these events.
According to Article 33 of General Elections Commission (KPU) No. 15 of 2023, authorized campaign material includes brochures, pamphlets, posters, stickers, clothing, headbands, utensils, calendars, name cards, pins, stationary, and other attributes provided by the law.
Food aid, Burhanuddin explained, was different than selling groceries through a bazaar. "Bazaar is for selling, not for donations. We hope the prices [at the bazaar] are not significantly lower than retail prices," he said.
For example, he said, if something is priced at Rp100,000 in the market, sell it for Rp70,000 in the bazaar, not Rp30,000. "It will create a room for money politics," he said.
Bawaslu allowed political parties to distribute campaign materials during bazaar or charity events as per KPU regulation.
The Coordinator of Legal, Education, and Training Division of Bawaslu Jakarta Sakhroji added that the agency also allowed political parties to distribute food and beverages during the campaign period, as provided under KPU decree No. 1622 of 2023.
"The budget for each package including the snack, food, and beverages are Rp65,000," he concluded.