More Single Candidates Fight Against Empty Ballot Box in 2020 Pilkada

A single candidate pair competing in the simultaneous Regional Head Election (Pilkada) in 2020 had increased, results of some research institutions and data from the General Election Commission (KPU) showed. The Association for General Elections and Democracy (Perludem) states that the 20 simultaneous election administering regions only have a single candidate. Executive Director of Perludem Titi Anggraini said that among these regions, with most likely having a single candidate, are Semarang, Solo, Kebumen, Grobogan, Sragen, Kediri, and Banyuwangi.

A political researcher from Northwestern University, United States, Yoes Kenawas, said that a single candidate could not always win the election. Records showed that single candidate might lose from "empty ballot box" or voters who abstained, just as in the case of Makassar Mayor candidate, Munafri Arifuddin-Rachmatika Dewi Yustitia Iqbal pair, who compete in the 2018 Pilkada. "Especially, now an empty ballot box alliance had emerged, educating the public not to vote for a single candidate if they think they are incapable of leading their region," he said.