Indonesia’s Giga‑Vote and the COVID‑Crunch
On Dec. 9, a jaw‑dropping over 100 million Indonesians will head to the polls in a regional election that stretches across almost 300,000 voting centers. The logistics alone would make an army of engineers blush – and add a massive dose of coronavirus risk in a country already fighting the worst outbreak in Southeast Asia.
Why the COVID Threat Is Real
- Huge turnout = huge exposure. Epidemiologist Pandu Riono warned that the sheer number of voters could spark new clusters, especially since Indonesia’s testing and tracing efforts are far from bullet‑proof.
- Health officials counted over 586,000 infections and 18,000 deaths in the country. The vats of buses, trains, and people moving around will make spread inevitable.
- Despite these numbers, the National Election Commission insisted voting would go on, backed by masks and PPE for workers.
Calls to Postpone—What’s the Debate?
- Islamic powerhouses Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah asked for a delay, citing public safety.
- Health activist Irma Hidayana, co‑founder of Lapor Covid‑19, filed a lawsuit demanding a second postponement. The court is actually set to hear it only on Thursday, so the ball is still in motion.
- Election official I Dewa Kade Wiarsa Raka Sandi promised that on‑site protocols would be tight, though the supervisory body records 2,000+ protocol violations during the campaign.
Covid‑Incidents in the Candidate Field
According to Lapor Covid‑19, 76 candidates already tested positive, and sadly four have passed away. The chaos isn’t just about votes; it’s a public‑health storm too.
Dynastic Politics on the Rise
Dynastic seats have shot up: from 52 in 2015 to 146 this year. Family ties are popping up everywhere, including President Joko Widodo’s son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, targeting the mayoral seat in Surakarta, a city once ruled by his father.
Takeaway
Indonesians are heading to the ballot boxes like a marathon, but the finish line could be a new COVID wave if precautions slip. The nation’s politicians and public‑health officials are scrambling for solutions—should they pause the election or push it through? Only time, and the votes, will tell.