Regional Council Urges Provincial Government to Prepare Temporary Office for Bawaslu NTB
The Bawaslu office in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), located on Jalan Udayana, Mataram, is facing imminent eviction. The execution of the eviction follows the defeat of the NTB High Prosecutor’s Office in a cassation appeal regarding alleged land document forgery, as decided by the Supreme Court.
The Chairman of Commission I of the NTB DPRD, Moh Akri, has urged the NTB Provincial Government to find a temporary building for Bawaslu NTB’s operations. According to Akri, there are numerous provincial assets that could be lent to Bawaslu.
“The Provincial Government has many vacant assets. We certainly urge the NTB Provincial Government to provide decent and representative loan-use facilities for Bawaslu NTB,” said Akri on Monday (18/05/2026).
Akri noted that although Bawaslu is a vertical institution, the local government is obligated to provide support in the procurement of infrastructure to serve as the centre for Bawaslu’s activities in each region. He suggested that the NTB Provincial Government could provide facilities for Bawaslu NTB through a grant scheme.
“The scheme could, for example, utilise grant funds. An office must be prepared,” added the PPP politician.
Akri emphasised that Bawaslu NTB performs a crucial function in maintaining the quality of democracy in the region, as the body carries out supervisory duties during General Elections and Regional Head Elections (Pilkada). He expressed hope that the office issue would be resolved before the 2029 election stages begin.
“The stages leading to the 2029 Election will begin at the end of 2026. Imagine if the election stages, including the NTB DPRD elections, are disrupted because Bawaslu lacks an office; it would be a danger to democracy,” Akri added.
The Chairperson of Bawaslu NTB, Itratip, has requested that the execution of the Bawaslu office land be postponed. She stated that Bawaslu commissioners are continuing to coordinate with the NTB Provincial Government to find an alternative office following the Supreme Court’s decision.
“At this time, from several locations we have surveyed, none are ideal,” said Itratip.