Inp.polri.go.id - Batam.  The General Elections Commission (KPU) has confirmed that 41 regions across the country will face uncontested elections, known locally as “kotak kosong” (literally means empty box), in the 2024 regional elections.

KPU Chairman Mochammad Afifudin explained on Friday (13/9/2024) that if the “empty box” wins, a follow-up election will be held in 2025. This decision follows an agreement with the House of Representatives’ Commission II that oversees home affairs

"If the empty box wins, a new election will be held the following year. The timeline for this process is expected to be around 11 months," said Afifudin, as quoted by antaranews.com.

Candidates from the 2024 election will be allowed to run again in the 2025 election.

While Afifudin acknowledged that campaigns for the empty box can take place, he emphasized that promoting voter abstention (better known as golput) is not allowed. 

"KPU will not facilitate campaigns for the empty box. The empty box represents those who disagree with the candidate," he added.

(mg/inp/pr/nm)