AIPA Backs Foreign Parliament Observers for Enhanced Election Transparency: DPR
Jakarta, The Gulf Observer: The observation of Indonesia’s 2024 General Elections by the parliaments of friendly nations aligns with an agreement established within the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), as affirmed by Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR) Puan Maharani.
In a statement released by the DPR in Jakarta on Tuesday, Speaker Maharani clarified that the AIPA agreement encourages election-holding countries to extend invitations to members of parliaments in Southeast Asia to observe the elections through the Election Visit Program.
“In its diplomatic role, the DPR would like to invite parliaments of friendly countries as well as international parliamentary organizations to directly observe the implementation of Indonesia’s 2024 General Elections on February 13-14, 2024,” she stated.
The announcement was made during Maharani’s closing speech for DPR’s Session III of the 2023-2024 Period in Jakarta on February 6.
Highlighting the importance of foreign observers, Maharani emphasized that their presence contributes to ensuring transparency and accountability during the voting and vote-counting stages of the upcoming elections. At least 19 friendly countries and three international parliamentary organizations have expressed their willingness to observe the 2024 General Elections.
As part of the plan, foreign observers will have the opportunity to directly witness the stages of voting and vote counting at three locations in Bali Province, specifically Panglipuran Village, the Jimbaran area, and the Garuda Wisnu Kencana area.
The General Elections Commission (KPU) has concurrently extended invitations to friendly countries, further emphasizing the collaborative effort through the Indonesia Election Visit Program. KPU Chairperson Hasyim Asy’ari, commenting on the program in Jakarta on Monday (February 12), noted that it provides various parties with the opportunity to closely follow the developments in the conduct of general elections in Indonesia.
These initiatives showcase Indonesia’s commitment to fostering international cooperation and ensuring a transparent and accountable electoral process, in line with regional agreements and diplomatic principles.
