In preparation for the 2024 General Election, the Manokwari General Election Commission (KPU) has taken a proactive step by providing a registration assistance center for candidate pairs (paslon) who wish to participate in the election. This step is part of the KPU’s efforts to ensure that the entire registration process runs smoothly, transparently, and accountable.
Background
KPU Manokwari realizes that the candidate pair registration process is often a complex stage and requires an in-depth understanding of the applicable rules and requirements. Therefore, the KPU decided to establish a registration assistance center as a solution to help potential candidates overcome the various challenges they may face during this process.
According to Paskalis Semunya, Chairman of the West Papua KPU, the provision of this assistance center is a strategic move to reduce the potential for administrative errors that could hamper the smooth running of the election. “We want to ensure that every candidate has an equal and fair chance to participate in this election,” Paskalis said.
Help Center Functions
The registration assistance center has various main functions that aim to facilitate the candidate registration process. Some of these functions include:
- Information and Consultation: The center provides comprehensive information on the registration requirements, documents required, and procedures to be followed. Competent officers will be available to provide consultation and answer questions from candidates.
- Technical Assistance: In addition to providing information, the center also provides technical support to help candidates fill out the application form correctly. This includes assistance in completing the required documents and ensuring that all files comply with the requirements set by the KPU.
- Document Verification: The support center also serves as a place for initial verification of registration documents. With this verification, candidates can find out early if there are any deficiencies or errors in their documents so that they can make immediate corrections before the registration deadline.
- Socialization and Education: The helpdesk also conducts socialization and education sessions for prospective candidates to improve their understanding of election rules and the importance of complying with applicable regulations. This is expected to reduce potential violations and disputes during the election process.
KPU Manokwari’s proactive steps received positive responses from various parties, including candidate pairs and political parties. They appreciate KPU’s efforts in facilitating the registration process and ensuring that all candidates have equal access to the necessary information and support.
One candidate who has taken advantage of this help center expressed his gratitude. “This help center is very helpful for us in understanding the procedures that must be followed. With this support, we feel more prepared and confident in facing the election,” said one candidate who did not want to be named.
While the center is expected to minimize errors and problems during the registration process, KPU Manokwari also recognizes that challenges remain. One of the main challenges is ensuring that all prospective candidates can take advantage of the center, especially those in remote areas.
To overcome this challenge, KPU Manokwari plans to conduct a ball pick-up program by directly visiting candidates in these areas. In addition, the KPU also plans to increase socialization through social media and other online platforms so that information about this assistance center can be widely disseminated.
By providing a candidate registration assistance center, KPU Manokwari demonstrates its commitment to realizing fair, transparent, and accountable elections. This step not only helps prospective candidates in the registration process but also strengthens public confidence in the integrity of the electoral process in West Papua. Hopefully, this effort can run well and make a positive contribution to the success of the 2024 Election in Manokwari and its surroundings.
