The Ministry of Finance Allocates Rp71.3 Trillion for the 2024 General Election: Here's the Breakdown

The Ministry of Finance (Kemenkeu) has allocated a budget of Rp 71.3 trillion (approximately USD 4.6 billion) for the 2024 General Election (Pemilu).

This budget has been allocated 20 months prior to election day, starting from 2022 until 2024, with the following breakdown:

* 2022: Rp 3.1 trillion
* 2023: Rp 30 trillion
* 2024: Rp 38.2 trillion

Isa Rachmatarwata, Director General of Budget at Kemenkeu, stated that the total budget is used for determining the number of seats, overseeing election organizers, updating voter data, preparing electoral districts, and managing and procuring reports and logistical documentation.

He continued that the budget is primarily allocated to the General Election Commission (KPU) and the Election Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu).

"The total realization of the 2024 election budget in the 2022 budget reached Rp 2.7 trillion, or 88.2% of the allocated budget of Rp 3.1 trillion," Isa said, as reported by *Kompas.com* on Tuesday (10/10/2023).

Meanwhile, in the 2023 fiscal year, up to September 30, 2023, the allocation has reached Rp 17.8 trillion, or 59.3% of the allocated budget of Rp 30 trillion.

Budget Prepared for Two Rounds

The Rp 38.2 trillion budget for the 2024 fiscal year has been prepared in the 2024 State Budget (APBN). According to Isa, this amount is only for the preparation of a single-round 2024 election.

However, he continued, the Kemenkeu has ensured that funds are also reserved for the 2024 election if the Presidential and Vice Presidential election goes to two rounds. A second round, if necessary, would be held on June 26, 2024.

"We have prepared enough, rest assured. Including if there is a second round, we will provide for it if the Presidential election goes to a second round. So, we are ready, we hope for the best for Indonesia," Isa said.

Isa continued that the election budget is an investment in the political and democratic order in Indonesia. According to him, political stability is expected to guarantee national development in various sectors.

"Conversely, if the election fails—and we pray that it doesn't—the risk of losses to the Indonesian nation and state will be far more costly than the amount of the budget allocated for the election," he said.

Unlike previous elections, the 2024 election will be held simultaneously on February 14, 2024, encompassing the Presidential and Vice Presidential election and the Legislative election. This will be followed by Regional Head elections (Pilkada) on November 27, 2024.