A total of 270 regions in Indonesia today held the Regional Head General Election (Pilkada) Simultaneously. The election consists of the election for governor and deputy governor in nine provinces, as well as the remaining elections for regents and mayors.
Because it took place in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, voting was carried out with strict health protocols.
As seen at the polling station (TPS) 01, Sawahan Village, East Padang District, Padang City, West Sumatra Province. Since it was opened at seven in the morning, residents have come to distribute their voting rights.
Voters are required to wear masks from home, and wash their hands with soap or use a hand sanitizer when entering the TPS location. They also pass body temperature checks by officers. Voters whose temperature is above 37.3 degrees, are forced to vote in special voting booths provided outside the room.
In addition, TPS officers are also required to wear personal protective equipment, in the form of masks, face shields, and gloves. They must also maintain a minimum distance of one and a half meters.
Unlike the usual general elections, after voting voters no longer stick their fingers in the ink box, but are now dropped by officers. This step is to avoid physical contact, in order to anticipate being exposed to Covid 19.
For the election for governor and deputy governor of West Sumatra, 3.7 million voters are spread across 12,500 polling stations in 19 city districts.
Officials and voters hope that the voting will run smoothly and not be exposed to Covid 19, because confirmed cases in the area are still quite high.