Vice President Amin checks election readiness in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Delapan parpol penuhi ambang batas parlemen, PDIP suara terbanyak
Indonesian Vice President Ma'ruf Amin reviews the readiness of the overseas election in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Wednesday (February 7, 2024). (ANTARA/HO-Vice Presidential Secretariat Press Bureau/rst)
Indonesian Vice President Ma'ruf Amin visited the Overseas Election Committee (PPLN) Secretariat at the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, February 7, to check their readiness for the 2024 election.

In a statement from his office on Wednesday, Amin noted that Saudi Arabia has the second-largest number of overseas voter lists (DPT) after Malaysia.

"Saudi Arabia has the second-largest DPT after Malaysia. Therefore, voters must take part in this election," he remarked.

He noted that holding an election is the state's duty and a constitutional mandate to elect presidential and vice presidential candidates and legislative member candidates.

Hence, he emphasized that the 2024 election is important, especially for electing a new president and vice president after President Joko Widodo's term of office ended.

"The election must be carried out in accordance with rules, namely fair and honest. Fairness is important to bring legitimacy to the election result," he emphasized.

The vice president also stated that differences in choices in elections are inevitable while expressing hope that they would not cause division in society.

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In addition, he urged all related parties to prioritize national unity and unity above political interests in the election.

PPLN Jeddah for the 2024 Election was inaugurated by the Indonesian Consul General in Jeddah on February 2, 2023, with seven members chaired by Yasmi Adriansyah.

Voting in the PPLN Jeddah area will be held simultaneously on Friday, February 9, 2024, at 14:00-24:00 local time at 12 polling stations (TPS) and 24 mobile ballot boxes (KSK)

The locations are spread across 10 cities that are concentrations of Indonesian Citizens/Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI), namely in Jeddah, Mecca, Medina, Taif, Abha, Qunfudah, Khamis Musyet, Rabigh, Tabuk, and Yanbu.

The number of DPT in Saudi Arabia reaches 54,479 people, comprising 18,717 men, constituting 34.4 percent, and 35,765 women, 65.6 percent. A total of 22,864 DPT were listed at the Jeddah TPS and 31,615 DPT were recorded at KSK outside Jeddah.

In accordance with the regulation, the PPLN only provides voting services for Indonesian citizens/PMI living in Saudi Arabia. Thus, Indonesian citizens, who would be performing Umrah on voting day, cannot vote in Saudi Arabia.

Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Saudi Arabia, Abdul Aziz Ahmad; Indonesian Consul General in Jeddah, Yusron B. Ambary; and Vice President's Special Staff for Communications and Information, Masduki Baidlowi also accompanied the vice president on his visit.

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Reporter: KR-RS
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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