Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. The Ministry of Social Affairs was set to assist Persons with Mental Disorders (ODGJ) in mental health centers, enabling them to exercise their political rights during the general elections on 14 February 2024.
Salahudin Yahya, the Secretary of the Directorate General of Social Rehabilitation at Kemensos, said on Wednesday (31/1/2024) that the assistance aimed at ensuring the voting rights of 820 ODGJ received care in 31 mental health centers under the Ministry.
The Ministry collaborated with the General Election Commission (KPU) to facilitate them in arranging the voting within the vicinity of mental health centers.
Salahudin said that the centers will work with the KPU to determine the polling stations where ODGJ, along with their companions, are allowed to vote.
"We sought consideration from experts, including our social workers, about their eligibility to vote," he said, adding that the ODGJ eligible to vote are those in stable condition who consume their prescribed medicine regularly.
Furthermore, at least one week before the election day, the Ministry, through the head of the center, provided socialization to them to guarantee that ODGJ companions do not influence their voting, and a formal agreement has to be signed to ensure neutrality.
(mg/inp/pr/nm)
