MERAUKE – All prospective pairs of candidates (bapaslon) for the 2024 Pilkada in South Papua Province, totaling 19 pairs, were declared physically and mentally healthy. This was decided after they participated in the health examination stage at Merauke Hospital, August 29-September 4.
The nineteen prospective pairs are four pairs of elections for Governor and Deputy Governor of South Papua, namely Apolo Safanpo-Paskalis Imadawa, Darius Gebze-Petrus Safan, Romanus Mbaraka-Albertus Muyak, and Nikolaus Kondomo-Baidin Kurita.
Furthermore, four candidate pairs for Regent and Deputy Regent of Merauke, namely Kristian David Tarigan Gebze and Kusmanto, Hendrikus Mahuse and Haji Riduwan, Yoseph Bladid Gede and Fauzan Nihayah, and Martinus Guntur Ohoiwutun and Prayogo.
The five candidates for Regent and Deputy Regent of Mappi are Emanuel BG Bahagia and Jaya Ibnu Su’ud, Kristosimus Yohanes Agawemu and Sanusi, Stefanus Kaisma and Adnan Satriyono, Benedictus Amoiye and Benedictus Tori Paliling, and Berekmas Reynoldus Bapaimu and Muhammad Agus Salim.
Then, four candidates for Regent and Deputy Regent of Boven Digoel, namely Petrus Ricolombus Omba and Marlinus, Yakob Weremba and Suharto, Athanasius Koknak and H Basri Muhammadiah, Hengky Yaluwo and Melkior Okaibob. Finally, two prospective pairs of Regent and Deputy Regent of Asmat namely Thomas Eppe Safanpo and Yoel Manggaprou, Bonifasius Jakfu and Abdul Ganing.
Commissioner of the South Papua KPU, Technical Division, Helda Ambai said that the medical examination is an important part of the Pilkada stage and is one of the administrative requirements that must be met by each individual and their contesting partner. All prospective candidate pairs must be physically and mentally healthy to be determined as candidates for regional head and deputy regional head.
“For 19 prospective candidate pairs, all of them are declared healthy both physically and mentally, as a result of the examination by the Merauke Regional Hospital. Furthermore, the KPU submits the results of the health examination to the LO candidate pair along with the notification of the results of the candidate administration research,” said Helda Ambai.
He added, in the improvement period which lasts three days, prospective candidate pairs are expected to be utilized properly. After that, the KPU will determine candidates on September 22, 2024 and will draw candidate serial numbers on September 23, 2024.
Meanwhile, the Head of Service of Merauke Regional Hospital, Dr. Mareyke Kulang, said that all candidates for regional heads and their deputies had undergone a thorough medical examination according to the schedule given.
“Before being submitted to the KPU, a health team plenary was first conducted. As a result, 19 candidate pairs are physically and mentally capable and have no indication of drug use,” explained Mareyke Kulang.
“We express our appreciation to the South Papua KPU and the 4 district KPUs that have entrusted Merauke Regional Hospital to be the center of medical examinations for prospective candidate pairs who will participate in this year’s simultaneous Pilkada contestation,” he concluded.
