Appreciating the Young Generation’s Commitment to Realizing Peaceful Regional Elections in 2024
By: Davina Gunawan )*
The declaration regarding commitment to overseeing the 2024 Simultaneous Regional Head Election (Pilkada) so that it runs peacefully is a positive step for an honest and fair political process. This step is in accordance with the meaning of monitoring work at the political party which will be held in November 2024. Even though institutionally the supervisory function is in Bawaslu, in essence supervision is completely in the community so that the participatory supervision pattern requires direct action from the community.
The West Kalimantan Indonesian Islamic Student Movement (PMII) held a peace declaration and invited the community and the younger generation to realize the 2024 regional elections peacefully at the Digulis Roundabout, Pontianak City. Dozens of West Kalimantan PMII cadres were present to raise an invitation to the community to protect the regional elections so that they could run safely, peacefully and democratically. All cadres present also declared their commitment to realizing Pilkada without issues of slander, hoaxes or provocation.
Deputy Chairman of the West Kalimantan PMII PKC, Mustakim, said that his party hopes that with this declaration the young generation can prioritize justice in the Pilkada by following the applicable rules. Participants and organizers, as well as voters in the 2024 Simultaneous Pilkada are also expected to respect each other and prioritize each other’s manners.
Meanwhile, the Indonesian Christian Student Executive Board (BEM KSI) held a Seminar and National Working Meeting (Rakernas) and the 2024 Peaceful Pilkada Declaration. The declaration with the theme “Building Student Awareness and Participation in the 2024 Simultaneous Pilkada for Better Democracy” was held at the Joang Building 45 Jakarta and attended by hundreds of students from various universities throughout Indonesia. The aim of the declaration is to increase student awareness and participation in order to create a better democracy in Indonesia.
Central Jakarta KPU Commissioner, Sahat Dohar Manullang, said the important role of the young generation in maintaining and strengthening democracy through active participation in the election process. The involvement of young people in the 2024 Pilkada is not only as voters, but also as assessors, prosecutors, guards, perpetrators and even candidates.
Students who attended the Declaration of Peaceful Regional Elections throughout Indonesia expressed their commitment to maintaining order, peace and honesty in the implementation of the 2024 Simultaneous Regional Elections. BEM KSI Center Coordinator, Charles Gilbert said that the declaration was expected to provide insight and motivation so that young people could maintain integrity and transparency in the 2024 Pilkada. According to him, quality Pilkada 2024 can be realized if all parties can follow the applicable rules.
It is also hoped that this declaration activity will provide momentum for students to be actively involved and become agents of positive change in the 2024 regional elections, such as exercising their right to vote without pressure, intimidation or violence. He also emphasized that young people must comply with applicable political ethics, and prioritize dialogue or deliberation in resolving any differences in political views.
On the other hand, the Nunukan Democratic Youth alliance also held a peace declaration ahead of the 2024 regional elections. One of the points of the declaration conveyed by the youth and students in Nunukan was “Ready to support the 2024 simultaneous regional elections in Nunukan peacefully, democratically and educationally in realizing voter sovereignty. ”. This declaration is a form of support for the implementation of the 2024 regional elections in Nunukan to run peacefully and democratically.
Chairman of the Nunukan Democratic Youth, Ahmad Abdul Rahman, said that the declaration was an invitation to the community and students to jointly oversee all stages of the 2024 Simultaneous Regional Elections with efforts to combat the spread of hoaxes and the practice of money politics at the upcoming democratic party. According to him, active participation from the community, especially youth and students, is very necessary to ensure that the regional elections are clean, honest and fair.
Youth and students are the front guard in overseeing the stages of the 2024 Simultaneous Pilkada. With awareness and concern from young people, a conducive atmosphere can be created during the 2024 Pilkada. Furthermore, Ahmad Abdul Rahman hopes that Bawaslu Kab. Nunukan is ready to closely monitor all stages of the regional elections and take firm action against any violations that occur.
Meanwhile, BEM of Al-Azhar Islamic University (Unizar) held a public discussion with the theme “The Role of Al-Azhar Islamic University Students in Making the 2024 Simultaneous Regional Elections in NTB Province a Success”. Chancellor of Unizar, Dr. Ir. Muh. Ansyar, MP said that the discussions held were very useful for all students to understand good democracy. It is also hoped that the insights and knowledge learned in the public discussion can become a learning opportunity for students and can be implemented in real life, especially in making the 2024 Simultaneous Regional Election a success.
Therefore, there is a need for the role of all parties, especially the younger generation, to take part in monitoring all stages of the 2024 regional elections so that they take place safely and peacefully. It is also hoped that the peace declarations made in a number of regions throughout Indonesia will be in line with the joint commitment to enliven the democratic festival in an orderly manner without any violations that could damage morals and the integrity of the bonds of brotherhood between nations.
)* The author is a contributor to Ruang Baca Nusantara