The upcoming Indonesian General Elections are just around the corner, scheduled to take place next year. As part of the preparations for the highly anticipated 2024 elections, the government has allocated a substantial amount of state funds during the first semester of 2023, specifically from January to June. A staggering Rp7.4 trillion has been disbursed, reflecting the commitment and financial investment made by the government in ensuring the smooth and efficient running of the elections.
During a session with members of the Budget Committee (Banggar) of the House of Representatives, Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani Indrawati shed light on the utilization of these funds.
She emphasized that a significant portion, amounting to Rp6.2 trillion, has been allocated for the establishment of the Ad-Hoc Election Commission, also known as the KPU. This body plays a vital role in organizing and overseeing the electoral process, ensuring its integrity and fairness.
While the Ad-Hoc body accounts for the majority of the expenditure, it should be noted that the remaining Rp1.2 trillion has been allocated for other purposes, although the specific utilization was not disclosed by the Minister. Nonetheless, this significant allocation highlights the government’s commitment to providing the necessary resources for a successful and transparent electoral process.
Looking ahead, it is worth mentioning that the Minister has allocated a total of Rp21.86 trillion in the APBN 2023 for the upcoming 2024 elections. This sizable budget indicates the government’s recognition of the importance of investing in the electoral process, ensuring the effective exercise of democracy and the will of the people.
With the allocated funds for the 2024 general elections, there is still a substantial amount of approximately Rp14.46 trillion available for various election-related needs.
This remaining budget will be crucial in facilitating the logistics, infrastructure, and resources required to conduct a smooth and inclusive electoral process on February 14, 2024.
Furthermore, the expenditure during the first semester of 2023 has had a positive impact on the overall budget realization, particularly in terms of the purchase of goods.
Notably, expenditures on goods amounted to Rp147.4 trillion during this period, indicating a 2 percent increase compared to the corresponding period in the previous year.
This growth can be attributed to election-related expenses, such as procuring necessary equipment and materials, as well as the distribution of operational assistance funds for schools (BOS) within the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
