Indonesian election watchdog has summoned the son of President Joko Widodo, the vice-presidential candidate Gibran Rakabuming Raka for an alleged campaign violation, according to an election official, as reported by Reuters. The general elections are scheduled for February 14 this year, and Gibran Rakabuming holds a strong lead with his running mate Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto.
The election watchdog (Bawaslu chapter) in Central Jakarta has summoned Gibran to know if the allegations are true or not.
The alleged violation of the campaign rules turned out to be a consequence of handing out free milk to the people at the “car-free day” event last month, as per Reuters. A 2016 Jakarta gubernatorial regulation bars “events for the interests of political parties” at car-free day events, during which vehicles are banned from entering major thoroughfares.
A deputy head of the defence minister Prawobo’s campaign team told Reuters that Gibran would attend Bawaslu’s summon on Wednesday at 1 p.m. Central Indonesia time. Gibran intends to honour the agency’s ruling if the allegations are proven correct. However, it didn’t know the act was a violation.
As per Reuters, Gibran’s candidature has raised controversy because of the decision by the country’s constitutional court removing an age bar that paved the way for his candidature in the elections.
Presidential elections in Indonesia 2024
Earlier in November, Indonesia’s election commission (KPU) announced the three candidates who will run to succeed President Joko Widodo. The pair of Gibran and Prabowo is contesting against Anies Baswedan and Ganjar Pranowo for the February 14th Presidential elections. Prabowo will contest for the Presidency, while Gibran will run for the vice-presidential post.
Democracy in Indonesia
Indonesia is the world’s third-largest democracy, comparatively a fresh one after 32 years of the dictatorial tenure of Suharto. Indonesia is a presidential democracy where the president is the head of state and the head of government.
