By: Syarif Muhammad Taufiq )*
Regional Head Elections (Pilkada) are one of the important moments in democratic life in Indonesia. In this process, youth have a strategic role that should not be ignored. As agents of change and the nation’s next generation, the active involvement of youth in overseeing peaceful regional elections is very vital. They have great potential to create a conducive atmosphere, avoid conflict, and ensure the democratic process runs well.
Along with the development of technology and information, Indonesian youth increasingly have wider access to various information and knowledge. This makes them the front guard in identifying and overcoming various issues that could disrupt the running of the regional elections. With high enthusiasm and idealism, young people can act as critical supervisors, report fraud, and educate the public about the importance of honest and fair regional elections.
In the current digital era, technological developments are also increasingly rapid, where many young people are also participating in the world of politics through social media. Social media allows them to discuss, share information, and voice opinions on political issues. Therefore, the younger generation can be said to be the main actor in politics in cyberspace. The form of participation they take will determine how democracy works.
The Minister of Communication and Information, Budi Arie Setiadi, emphasized the importance of the young generation’s active role in upholding a healthy and responsible democracy through the narrative of the 2024 Peaceful Regional Election. The involvement of the young generation is expected not only as voters, but also as agents of change who build awareness of issues. strategies that influence the future of the country. With their intellectual capacity, the younger generation is expected to be at the forefront in countering issues such as political polarization and the spread of false information (hoaxes) which are prone to occur in the digital world.
Not only that, youth (young generation) also have the ability to mobilize communities and create positive movements that support peaceful regional elections. Through various social media platforms, they can spread messages of peace, fight hoaxes and provocations, and invite the public to participate actively and peacefully in the regional elections. Thus, the contribution of youth is not only limited to monitoring, but also in building collective awareness about the importance of maintaining peace during the Pilkada process.
In response to this, various interfaith youth organizations in Pringsewu Regency, Lampung Province signed a joint declaration regarding the 2024 Peaceful Pilkada. The event was attended by regional government officials, the Regional Leadership Communication Forum (Forkopimda), vertical agencies, the Religious Harmony Forum (FKUB), youth organizations interfaith, as well as the local KPU and Bawaslu. The presence of these various elements shows seriousness and joint commitment in maintaining peace and order during the 2024 Regional Election process.
This declaration is a symbol of commitment from the Ansor Youth Movement, Muhammadiyah Youth, Catholic Youth, Indonesian Christian Youth Force Movement, Indonesian Hindu Dharma Youth Association, and Youth Forum Interfaith. This signing was carried out at the opening of the Pringsewu Regency Catholic Youth Branch Commissariat Conference in BW Village, Pringsewu.
The 2024 Peaceful Pilkada Declaration contains six main points. First, this declaration invites the public to realize direct, general, free, secret, and honest and fair regional elections, in order to maintain the integrity of the nation. Second, there is an invitation to ensure that the regional elections run safely, orderly and peacefully. Third, the declaration emphasizes the rejection of hoaxes, money politics and black campaigns that can damage the democratic process.
The fourth point of this declaration is full support for the implementation and supervision of the 2024 Pilkada by Bawaslu and the KPU. Fifth, the youth invite the community to maintain brotherhood and harmony between religious communities and strengthen the integrity of the Republic of Indonesia from all forms of threats. Lastly, the public is invited to become intelligent, wise and responsible voters in the 2024 regional elections.
Chairman of the Lampung Catholic Youth Regional Commissariat, Falentinus Andi, hopes that cooperation between religious youth organizations in Pringsewu Regency can continue to run well. He emphasized the importance of the role of youth as pioneers in creating a harmonious, harmonious and peaceful community life.
Head of the Pringsewu Regency Youth, Sports and Tourism Service, Ibnu Harjianto, stated that the regional government supports every effort by elements of society aimed at advancing and improving the welfare of the people of Pringsewu Regency, including initiatives carried out by Catholic Youth. Ibnu emphasized that the role of youth is very important in the running of the country and government, where the enthusiasm and creativity of youth is able to strengthen national unity. Diversity, according to him, is the power to build a nation.
The younger generation can act as agents of change to increase political participation among their peers. They can organize political education campaigns, public discussions, or social activities that invite other young people to participate in the political process. By raising awareness and involving more young people, they can become a force driving positive change in the political system.
)* Member of the Ansor Youth Movement, Pringsewu Regency, Lampung
