Supporting the Active Role of the Community to Make the 2024 Regional Elections Peaceful and with Integrity
By: Gita Oktaviani )*
Ahead of the simultaneous Regional Head Elections (Pilkada) in 2024, there are great hopes for the Indonesian people to play an active role in creating an atmosphere of peace and integrity.
Vice President Ma’ruf Amin and the Regional Police Chief (Kapolda) of Southeast Sulawesi have called for the importance of maintaining a conducive and safe political situation during this democratic process. This is an invitation for all of us to contribute to the common good and a better future.
Vice President Ma’ruf Amin emphasized the importance of maintaining a peaceful political situation in South Papua ahead of the 2024 regional elections. During his visit to Merauke, he invited the entire community to make this democratic party a success by electing leaders of quality and integrity. Ma’ruf Amin emphasized that peace during the Pilkada not only provides comfort for the people in voting, but also ensures that the results of the Pilkada can bring progress to the regions led by new leaders who are elected in an honest and fair manner.
Meanwhile, amidst the hustle and bustle of preparations for the 2024 regional elections, Southeast Sulawesi Regional Police Chief Inspector General Pol Dwi Irianto delivered an important message to the people in the Bumi Anoa area. He emphasized that differences in choices in regional elections are normal and should not be a trigger for conflict or division. In an interview in Kendari, Dwi Irianto asked the community to work together to protect the security of their hometown, not only during the Pilkada, but also before and after. This is a call for all parties to maintain harmony and not be easily provoked by issues that are not necessarily true, especially those circulating on social media.
The Regional Police Chief’s statement reflects the importance of active community participation in maintaining the security and public order situation. When facing problems related to regional elections, the community is expected to be able to resolve them through deliberation and consensus, a traditional method that is full of the values of togetherness and mutual respect. The public is also advised to immediately report potential security and order disturbances to the police so that they can be followed up as quickly as possible.
The Palangkaraya City Government is also not left behind in its efforts to create peaceful and integrity regional elections. Palangka Raya City Regional Secretariat’s Assistant for Government and Welfare, Sahdin Hasan, invited the public to fight the spread of hoaxes and the practice of money politics. According to Sahdin, active community participation is very important to ensure that the regional elections run cleanly, honestly and fairly. Educational and outreach steps will be taken to increase public understanding of the dangers of hoaxes and the negative impact of money politics on the democratic process.
In an effort to create regional elections with integrity, the General Election Supervisory Body (Bawaslu) also plays an important role by supervising all stages of the regional elections and taking firm action against any violations that occur. It is hoped that collaboration between regional governments, election management institutions and the community can create regional elections that are free from various types of fraud. Sahdin also asked the public to be critical in responding to any information and reporting indications of the spread of hoaxes or money politics to the authorities for follow-up.
Apart from that, the Ministry of Communication and Information (Kemenkominfo) also plays a role in maintaining the security and peace of the 2024 Regional Elections by increasing supervision of digital platforms and social media. The potential for spreading incorrect or misleading information (hoaxes) could influence the regional election process. Therefore, Kominfo is strengthening cooperation with various related parties, including social media platforms and digital service providers, to ensure that circulating content does not violate regulations and can be accounted for.
In this context, Kominfo has collaborated with the General Election Commission (KPU) and Bawaslu to monitor conversations in digital spaces during the 2024 elections. This monitoring includes handling hoax issues, analyzing conversation issues in digital spaces, and verifying social media accounts. This is a comprehensive effort to ensure that the information circulating during the Pilkada is correct and trustworthy. The Ministry of Communication and Information is also preparing a public communication strategy to make the 2024 Pilkada a success through amplifying the 2024 Peaceful Pilkada narrative on social media, synergizing with partners for outreach, as well as collaborating with mass media to produce positive information related to the Pilkada.
Coordination with public broadcasting institutions, private broadcasting institutions and the National News Agency (LKBN) was also carried out to participate in publicizing the 2024 peaceful Pilkada
. All of these steps illustrate how important the active role of the community is in creating a peaceful 2024 Pilkada with integrity. With collective participation and concern, we can ensure that the democratic process runs smoothly, produces quality leaders, and brings progress to all regions in Indonesia.
The success of the 2024 regional elections depends greatly on the active role and concern of the community. Through cooperation between the community, government and various related institutions, we can create an atmosphere of peace and integrity during the Pilkada.
Peaceful regional elections are certainly the dream of all parties, so the public needs to participate in rejecting hoaxes and money politics, and actively participate in every stage of the regional elections. In this way, we will create a healthy democracy and advance the nation. Peaceful regional elections are our shared responsibility, and every positive step we take will determine a better future for Indonesia.
)*Contributor to Reading Window Institute
