Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. The General Election Commission (KPU) of Jakarta is prepared to provide assistance for voters with mental disabilities or mental disorders in exercising their rights to vote in the 2024 elections.
Astri Megatari, the Head of the Division of Socialization, Voter Education, and Community Participation of KPU Jakarta, said that according to the guidelines for the 2019 elections, voters with mental disabilities can cast their votes by presenting a doctor's certificate when they go to the polling stations, antaranews.com reported.
"There are specific requirements and conditions for voters with mental disabilities to enter the polling station and exercise their right to vote. One of the requirements in the last election was a medical certificate," she said on Tuesday (19/12/2023).
Astri explained that the health condition of voters with mental disabilities or mental disorders tends to fluctuate, and it is important to ensure their well-being before they exercise their rights to vote. The doctor's certificate will determine whether the ODGJ voter is suffering from delusions or hallucinations, which could prevent them from going to the polling station.
KPU Jakarta has already identified that voters with mental disabilities are mainly concentrated in care facilities, and therefore, they will be provided with assistance to go to the polling booths. In addition, KPU will also visit voters who are currently ill, whether at home or in hospitals.
"For voters who are unable to go to the polling stations, our officials will visit their residences between 12:00 and 13:00 accompanied by supervisors and witnesses," said Dody Wijaya, the Head of the Division of Technical Election Management of KPU Jakarta.
KPU Jakarta's records showed that out of the total of 8.2 million eligible voters, 61,747 of them are individuals with disabilities, including 22,871 persons with mental disabilities or mental disorders.
(mg/inp/pr/nm)