71 Election Officials Died in 2024 Elections, Most Were KPPS Members

The General Election Commission (KPU) reported that 71 ad hoc election workers died while working during the 2024 General Election.

"The ad hoc election officials, especially during the peak season with a heavy workload from February 14-18, 2024, 71 of whom died, according to our records," said KPU Chairman Hasyim Asy'ari in a press conference on Monday (2/19/2024).

The majority of deceased workers were members of the Village-Level Election Committee (KPPS) at polling stations (TPS), totaling 42 people.

Furthermore, 24 members of the civil defense force (Linmas) died while securing the voting and vote counting process.

There were also 4 members of the Sub-District Election Committee (PPS) at the village/sub-district level, and 1 member of the District Election Committee (PPK) who died while on duty.

The KPU also recorded 4,567 sick election workers, comprising 3,371 KPPS members, 696 PPS members at the village/sub-district level, 364 Linmas members, and 136 PPK members.

Hasyim stated that as of Saturday (2/17/2024), only four families of deceased election workers had received death benefits. He explained that the disbursement of these benefits requires prior data verification.

"Monitoring, health protection, and social security for ad hoc officials will continue until the recapitulation and determination of election results are completed, namely on March 20, 2024," he said.

(Read also: List of Problems in the 2024 General Election, from Late Opening of Polling Stations to Intimidation)