Election Commission Says 2018 Regional Elections Will Cost in Excess of Rp 11t
Jakarta. The General Election Commission, or KPU, said it is ready to run the 2018 simultaneous regional elections, which would need a total budget of Rp 11.3 trillion ($850 million).
No fewer than 171 regions will take part in the election next year and the budget was their own proposal. The amount is larger than usual because there will be more regions participating and more voters.
KPU Chairman Arief Budiman said the short time the commission has to prepare the elections will not be an issue.
"We were faced with the same problem five years ago. We're running on a tighter schedule now for sure, but we'll just have to work hard," Arief said in Jakarta on Tuesday (25/04).
Arief has met with the House of Representatives to deliver the budget proposal.
"We need more money next year because more regions will be participating and geographically some of them are very difficult [to reach]. There will also be more voters taking part," Arief said, adding that the budget is still subject to revision.
Lawmakers have asked the KPU to rework the budget, saying the current one is too expensive.
"Some things could be done more efficiently, I think," the House's deputy chairman of governance commission Fandi Utomo said at the meeting.
The House also asked the KPU to set out requirements for the elections next year, which may include using the new electronic ID card or e-KTP to register.
KPU said next year's elections will take place in 17 provinces, 115 districts and 39 cities.
Watch Indonesia Highlights at 8 p.m. tonight on the Jakarta Globe News Channel and Facebook Live to find out more about the 2018 regional elections.
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