PORTALJABAR, BANDUNG CITY - The General Election Commission (KPU) of Bandung City launched the Stages for the Election of Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Bandung 2024 at the Harris Convention Center, Sunday (9/6/2024).

There are a number of positive notes for the City of Bandung at this moment. Among other things, the trend of Bandung City voter participation in the 2024 Presidential Election last February was said to be higher than West Java and National.

For information, the voter participation rate in Bandung City in the 2024 presidential election is 82.9 percent. This number is higher than West Java Province (82.3 percent) and National (81.8 percent).

Assistant for Government and People's Welfare of the Bandung City Regional Secretariat, Asep Gufron, said that this positive trend needs to be maintained during the Bandung Regional Election/Pilwalkot on November 27.

“This event is not just ceremonial. "However, we want to raise awareness among Bandung residents of the importance of leadership succession," he said.

He said that the success of the City of Bandung in achieving a higher participation rate compared to the West Java and National scales was an indicator of the success of the socialization held by all elements in the 2024 Election.

"This is also proof that the outreach from all parties involved was successful. "And the awareness of Bandung City residents is better," he said.

Asep hopes that the voter participation rate in Bandung City in the 2024 Pilkada/Pilwalkot can be maintained.

Asep also explained that the Bandung City Government (Pemkot) is currently still updating voter data in Bandung City. There are many first-time voters who will just get the opportunity to exercise their voting rights in the upcoming 2024 Pilwalkot.

“We are pursuing KTP recording. "So that first-time voters can vote on November 27 2024," he said.

"In the spirit of togetherness, let's make the 2024 Pilwalkot a peaceful, safe, successful and high quality in the sense of integrity, transparency and responsibility," said Asep.

Chairman of the Bandung City KPU, Wenti Prihadianti, hopes that the people of Bandung City can take part in the 2024 Pilwalkot with joy and happiness.

He believes that the 2024 Pilkada/Pilwalkot must be democratic by prioritizing the principles of Luber and Jurdil.

“Let's make this process a celebration of democracy. "Not only choosing leaders, but also implementing democracy itself," he said.

On this occasion, the Bandung City KPU also launched the 2024 Pilwalkot mascot and jingle. The 2024 Pilwalkot mascot is called Baraya.

Baraya is an abbreviation of Bara and Aya, which means Bandug Kasih Suara (Bara) and Akur Sadayana (Aya).

Meanwhile, the cangkurileung chirping bird (finger bird) as an icon means freedom. This means that the public is given the freedom to choose the leader of Bandug City for the next 5 years according to their conscience.

“It's time for us to reunite in a national context. "It is in our interests to protect this country, and our region, the City of Bandung," he said.

West Java KPU Commissioner Hedi Ardia said that the KPU as an election organizer has a strategic role in making the general election or Pilkada/Pilwalkot a success.

According to him, the KPU has a big challenge to maintain the trend of voter participation in the Pilwalkot so that it does not decline compared to the Presidential Election era.

“We need to be aware of our function of promoting and branding election/Pilkada activities. "We encourage the public to attend the polling stations on November 27," he said.

Apart from the Pilwalkot mascot, the Bandung City KPU also launched a jingle for the 2024 Pilwalkot. Artist and musician Doel Sumbang was invited to write and sing this jingle.

This event was also enlivened by theatrical performances, dance, as well as an appearance from Doel Sumbang.