State Civil Apparatus in Indonesia are required to be neutral in general elections. This obligation is in accordance with the implementation of the laws and regulations stated in Law Number 5 of 2024 concerning State Civil Apparatus that they must be free from political influence and intervention. In addition to State Civil Apparatus, the Election Supervisory Bureau in Central Papua Province also emphasized that the party that must maintain its neutrality in the simultaneous regional head elections held in November is the Village Government Apparatus. The existence of a conflict of interest is the reason why Village Government Apparatus throughout Central Papua Province must be able to maintain its neutrality in the upcoming general election process. The law that supports the neutrality of Village Government Apparatus is stated in Law Number 6 of 2014 concerning villages, one of the articles of which states that village officials are prohibited from participating and being involved in general election campaigns and regional head elections.
The Election Supervisory Bureau of Central Papua Province carried out socialization as part of political education for members of the State Civil Apparatus and Village Government Apparatus regarding the neutrality that they must maintain ahead of the regional head elections. The political campaign process has started and conducive conditions are being created so that when the regional head elections take place later, a peaceful atmosphere will be created. The General Election Supervisory Bureau also reminded the public to report if they see any violations related to the involvement of State Civil Apparatus or Village Government Apparatus related to politics, especially the regional head election campaign.
The neutrality of State Civil Apparatus and Village Government Apparatus during the regional head election campaign in Central Papua Province is related to how to create equal conditions for regional head candidates who participate in political contests. The meaning of equal conditions is how all parties will receive equal treatment during the democratic party. The access that all regional head candidates have in the campaign process is also ensured to be equal without any interference from State Civil Apparatus and Village Government Apparatus.
The hope from the socialization by the Central Papua Province General Election Supervisory Bureau regarding the neutrality of State Civil Apparatus and Village Government Apparatus is that both parties will remember the applicable laws and regulations and not violate them. So that the regional head election process will run smoothly starting from the registration of regional head candidates, the campaign, and until the time the election is held. All parties need to supervise and remind each other regarding neutrality that will lead to the smooth running of regional head elections at the end of this year. The task of the General Election Supervisory Bureau is also helped because all parties in society will be able to carry out their supervisory function and be ready to report if there are any violations in the regional head elections.