PEKANBARU - In a secret plenary meeting on Sunday, 22/9/2024, the Riau General Election Commission (KPU) formally announced the three candidate pairs (Paslon) for governor and deputy governor of Riau, who will contest in the 2024 Regional Head Election.

Nahrawi, the head election commissioner for Riau Region, said that the selection of candidate pairings followed a set timeline.

"In accordance with Regional Head Election Decree No. 1229 of 2024, the process of determining candidates is carried out through a closed plenary meeting by five Riau Regional Head Election commissioners," he said as reported by tribunpekanbaru.com.

Following the plenary session, three prospective pairings were selected as satisfying all administrative criteria. Following that, the public was informed of these names via the official Regional Head Election website.

The three pairs of candidates who have officially been appointed for the Regional Head Election each bring diverse visions and missions, reflecting their views on the future of Riau.

1. Syamsuar-Mawardi: Advanced and Dignified Riau

"Making Riau Advanced and Dignified as the Economic Center of Sumatra and the Main Gateway to the ASEAN Economy 2029" is the mission statement carried by the first pair.

Their mission includes eight points, which focus on infrastructure development, community welfare, strengthening the regional economy, and improving the quality of human resources (HR).

Apart from that, they are also committed to strengthening inter-religious harmony, protecting the environment, and implementing a clean bureaucracy without corruption.

2. Muhammad Nasir-Muhammad Wardan: Competitive Golden Riau

This couple has the vision of 'a Riau with Competitiveness, Integrity, Progress and Malay Culture Towards a Golden Riau.'

The six primary pillars of Nasir-Wardan's goal include industrial downstreaming, enhancing the quality of human resources, and creating natural resource products.

They also promised to create professional governance and integrity, as well as strengthen Malay cultural values which are religious, tolerant and harmonious.

3. Abdul Wahid-SF Hariyanto: Riau is Cultured and Advanced

This last pair carries the vision of 'Riau with Malay Culture, Dynamic, Ecological, Religious and Advanced.'

Their seven-point purpose includes reducing poverty, enhancing research and innovation, building infrastructure, and providing fair health and education services.

Additionally, they underlined how crucial it is to preserve Melayu culture in order to keep the Riau people together.

With the appointment of these three candidate pairs, the people of Riau can now assess more deeply the vision and mission offered by each candidate.

In order to ensure that the democratic process functions effectively and results in leaders who really fulfill the expectations of the people, the Regional Head Election expects that the public will actively engage in offering suggestions and constructive criticism.

It is anticipated that there will be a tough intellectual competition during the 2024 Riau Regional Head Election. Every candidate duo actions that to provide the optimal resolution for Riau's advancement throughout many domains, including infrastructure, culture, and the economics.

In order to produce an honest, fair, and transparent election, the Riau Regional Head Election also keeps up its efforts to guarantee that the phases of the election go as planned.(*)