Jakarta. The Jakarta Election Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) has urged the three pairs of candidates for the 2024 Jakarta gubernatorial election to avoid repeating the negative incidents that marred the 2017 election. Chair Munandar Nugraha emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and integrity throughout the upcoming contest.

“I greatly appreciate what the General Election Commission (KPU) has accomplished so far. We have collectively declared a peaceful campaign, and I commend all that the candidates have communicated. The key is to learn from the 2017 election to ensure it does not recur in 2024,” Munandar said in Jakarta on Tuesday.

The 2017 Jakarta gubernatorial election was marked by sectarian tensions, primarily due to incumbent Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok), a Christian of Chinese descent, facing allegations of blasphemy.

Jakarta's Gubernatorial Race Begins: Candidates Sign Declaration for Peaceful Campaign

His comments during a campaign speech ignited protests led by hardline Islamist groups, leading to mass demonstrations and his subsequent conviction for blasphemy. Anies Baswedan ultimately won the election, reflecting the heightened political and religious polarization during that period.

Munandar stressed the need for a shared commitment among candidates and their campaign teams to prevent similar unfortunate events from occurring in the upcoming election. “It is crucial that we collectively ensure a peaceful and dignified election process,” he added.

On the same day, the three pairs of gubernatorial and vice-gubernatorial candidates officially launched their campaigns by signing a declaration for a peaceful campaign. They pledged to uphold integrity and fairness during the election process.

The commitments made in the declaration emphasized the importance of a direct, public, free, secret, honest, and fair election, as well as a safe and orderly campaign free from hoaxes, religious and racial politicization, and money politics.

The three pairs of candidates will campaign under the following numbers: Ridwan Kamil and Suswono as number 1, Dharma Pongrekun and Kun Wardana as number 2, and Pramono Anung and Rano Karno as number 3.