The number of poll workers who died in Indonesia’s general election rose to 71, with 4,567 poll workers reported to be sick while on duty, according to official sources. This was announced by Chairman of the General Election Commission (KPU) Hasyim Asy’ari on Monday. Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin expressed concern over the deaths, stating that even one death is too many, despite the decrease in numbers from the previous election.
During the 2019 general election, 894 poll workers lost their lives. In the 2024 election, out of the 6.8 million workers who underwent health screenings, 398,000 had comorbidities, primarily heart disease and hypertension. Sadikin emphasized the need to put an end to poll worker deaths in future elections.
Indonesia held the world’s largest single-day election on February 14, with approximately 204 million voters spread across 38 provinces. The authorities are now faced with the task of addressing the health concerns of the poll workers and ensuring their safety in future electoral processes.
The rise in the number of poll worker deaths and illnesses has raised concerns about the working conditions and safety measures provided to these essential workers during the electoral process. The government and election commission will need to address these challenges to prevent such casualties in the future and ensure the well-being of poll workers.
