Callistasia Anggun Wijaya, Jakarta – The planned campaign period ahead of the second round of Jakarta gubernatorial elections slated for April 19 is necessary to sharpen the candidates' visions, missions, and programs, the city's General Election Commission (KPU Jakarta) said.
KPU Jakarta said it would proceed with the second campaign period despite the escalating criticism, saying that the remaining two candidate pairs, especially the incumbent Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama and Djarot Saiful Hidayat, have had enough of the three-month-long campaign earlier from Oct. 28 last year to Feb. 11.
KPU Jakarta head Sumarno said that the commission would, again, let the candidates convey their programs to Jakartans through various campaign activities, including in an official debate, during the planned campaign period from March 7 to April 15.
"For the runoff, we will hold one debate for the candidate pairs," Sumarno said at his office on Wednesday, saying one debate would be sufficient for the public to understand the candidates' programs.
The candidates would undergo a similar process as the campaign period in the first round, which will also include reporting campaign funds. (dan)