DENPASAR. Creating and parading ogoh-ogoh (giant papier-mâché effigies) has always been a much-awaited tradition for Balinese ahead of the celebration of Nyepi (the Hindu Day of Silence), which will fall on March 31 this year. Lately, however, a sense of anxiety has engulfed members of the island’s general election commission after they learned that the date for the upcoming ogoh-ogoh parade falls during the official campaign season for the country’s general election. Bali General Election’s Commission (KPUD) head, Dewa Kade Wiarsa Raka Sandi, told journalists on Monday that the national commission had enacted the campaign period to run from March 16 to April 5 this year. Meanwhile, Pengerupukan day — the day before Nyepi, when ogoh-ogoh are paraded — falls on March 30. “It means that there will be a campaign by political parties on Pengerupukan day. This is highly prone to being used by politicians to promote themselves, or even to undermine other candidates,” Sandi said.
Commission warns of political ogoh-ogoh
DENPASAR. Creating and parading ogoh-ogoh (giant papier-mâché effigies) has always been a much-awaited tradition for Balinese ahead of the celebration of Nyepi (the Hindu Day of Silence), which will fall on March 31 this year. Lately, however, a sense of anxiety has engulfed members of the island’s general election commission after they learned that the date for the upcoming ogoh-ogoh parade falls during the official campaign season for the country’s general election. Bali General Election’s Commission (KPUD) head, Dewa Kade Wiarsa Raka Sandi, told journalists on Monday that the national commission had enacted the campaign period to run from March 16 to April 5 this year. Meanwhile, Pengerupukan day — the day before Nyepi, when ogoh-ogoh are paraded — falls on March 30. “It means that there will be a campaign by political parties on Pengerupukan day. This is highly prone to being used by politicians to promote themselves, or even to undermine other candidates,” Sandi said.