132 Regional Governments, Bawaslu to Sign Grant Agreements

Jakarta, InfoPublik – As much as 132 regional governments have concluded the discussions on the drafts of 2020 regional head elections grant agreements (NPHD) with the Election Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu).

"Directorate General of Regional Government Finance reported that as of 3 October 2019, as much as 132 regional governments have signed NPHDs with Bawaslu," said Home Affairs Ministry Secretary General Hadi Prabowo in his written statement, Thursday (3 /10/2019).

Hadi stated that out of 270 regions that will hold regional head elections, there are still 138 regions that have not yet signed the agreements with Bawaslu.

Home Affairs Ministry is taking a number of measures to ensure the budget readiness for the implementation of the Simultaneous Regional Elections in 2020.

Firstly, the ministry is evaluating the regions that have not signed NPHDs until the deadline of 1 October 2019. Subsequently they will be invited to a coordinating meeting on the implementation of the 2020 Simultaneous Regional Elections with the General Election Commission (KPU), Bawaslu and the Indonesian Police.

Secondly, the ministry is going to send letters to the regional governments urging them to discuss proposals of funding needs for election and allocate the fund in the regional budgets in accordance with the Home Affairs Minister Regulation Number 54 of 2019 and Home Affairs Minister’s circulars. Thirdly, Home Affairs Ministry is going to monitor the follow-ups of the letters.

"Lastly, we will provide assistance to the regional governments that have not yet signed the NPHDs, by setting up discussions with election organizers (KPU and Bawaslu) on election funding," he added.

The 2020 elections will be held in 270 regions consisting of 9 provinces, 224 regencies and 37 municipalities.

Reporter: Eko Budiono

Translator: Erik Limantara