A regent candidate in Karo regency, North Sumatra, Kena Ukur Karo Jambi Surbakti, 74, died from COVID-19 on the last day of registration for regional elections on Sunday, when his daughter stepped in to replace his candidacy.
The Democratic Party’s North Sumatra chapter acting head, Herri Zulkarnain, said the replacement of Kena Ukur had been agreed upon by supporting parties, including the Golkar Party and the National Mandate Party (PAN).
“We agreed to replace the late Kena Ukur Karo Jambi with his daughter, Yus Surbakti. Today, we immediately registered her at the KPUD [Regional General Elections Commission],” Herri told The Jakarta Post on Sunday.
Kena Ukur, who had served as Karo regent from 2011 to 2016, died at Columbia Asia Hospital in Medan on Sunday morning.
Medan Health Agency head Edwin Effendi said Kena Ukur had died as a confirmed COVID-19 patient.
At the request of the family, Edwin said, Kena Ukur was buried under strict COVID-19 protocols at a cemetery in Ndokum Siroga village, Simpang Empat district, Sunday morning.
Kena Ukur is the only regent candidate in North Sumatra who has died from COVID-19.
Previously, Binjai mayor candidate Lisa Andriani Lubis was exposed to the coronavirus. Lisa is now under self-isolation at home.
The General Elections Commission (KPU) reported that 37 prospective candidates in 21 provinces for the upcoming regional elections had tested positive for COVID-19.
The number of prospective pairs of candidates registered for the upcoming elections had reached 687.
Thw KPU is conducting health verifications on all prospective candidates.
The commission reminded political parties, prospective candidates and voters to comply with health protocols during each stage of the elections. (syk)
