Maintaining Political Stability as a Joint Effort to Create a Peaceful 2024 Regional Election
By: Zahra E *)
The implementation of the 2024 regional elections is an important agenda in the history of democracy in Indonesia. Therefore, maintaining political stability during the regional election process is a shared duty and responsibility for the government, political parties, regional head candidates, the media, and the Indonesian public. The implementation of regional elections is not only a platform for selecting local leaders but also a reflection of the political maturity of the nation.
Maintaining political stability is the main foundation for creating a healthy and peaceful democratic process. Without political stability, regional elections can turn into a stage for conflict that threatens social cohesion and creates doubt among the public regarding the democratic system. In this regard, maintaining political stability means ensuring that the electoral process can take place honestly, fairly, and transparently. Thus, the results can be accepted by all parties with an open heart.
Therefore, efforts to maintain political stability are considered very important to ensure that the elections can proceed peacefully and orderly. In the context of the 2024 regional elections, efforts to maintain political stability have become increasingly important given the current global and national situation, which is full of challenges. Referring to this, a joint effort is needed to ensure that the 2024 regional elections are not disrupted by political or social issues.
The Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs, Hadi Tjahjanto, urged all ranks to ensure that the 2024 regional elections are safe and peaceful by maintaining political, legal, and security stability. Considering that the year 2024 will be the biggest election year as both the presidential election and regional elections will take place in the same year.
According to Hadi, the electoral conditions in various regions are prone to triggering conflicts within society, especially among the supporters of local head candidates. For that reason, Hadi requested that the TNI-Polri get involved as they play a crucial role in maintaining security and peace during the regional elections. Hadi also hopes that the parties involved in the organization of this election, such as the General Election Commission (KPU), the Honorary Council of Election Organizers (DKPP), as well as the Election Supervisory Body (Bawaslu) and other involved parties, will ensure that the election is conducted responsibly, fairly, and in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations.
The government will ensure that the General Elections Commission (KPU) and the Election Supervisory Board (Bawaslu) work independently, transparently, and professionally. The KPU and Bawaslu play a crucial role in overseeing the electoral process and ensuring that all election procedures comply with applicable laws. The government supports the independence of the KPU and Bawaslu by providing adequate funding and ensuring that there will be no interference from any party that could disrupt the KPU and Bawaslu in managing and supervising the electoral process.
Meanwhile, President Joko Widodo also urged all his ranks to participate in helping to maintain political stability and reminded the public to remain vigilant so as not to become victims of politics, especially identity politics. President Jokowi also urged the TNI-Polri to outline potential vulnerabilities as an effort to create peaceful regional elections and reminded the TNI-Polri to avoid engaging in practical politics.
During the 2019 elections, the government deployed more than 270 thousand military and police personnel to help maintain security so that the electoral process could proceed peacefully throughout Indonesia. To this day, the government remains committed to enhancing security in the electoral process, including security measures leading up to the simultaneous regional elections in 2024.
The mass media also plays an important role in creating a conducive atmosphere for the regional elections. According to Vice President K.H. Ma’ruf Amin, the media plays a very strategic role in maintaining political stability to achieve peaceful elections. Furthermore, the Vice President stated that the integrity of the media is essential to uphold, as it plays a role in fostering calm in welcoming the 2024 regional elections. The Vice President also emphasized that the media should not become a means of provocation that can divide society.
In this regard, the government has contributed by overseeing the media through the Indonesian Broadcasting Commission (KPI). The KPI monitors all news and campaign advertisements in the mass media to ensure that the information presented to the public is valid and does not incite conflict. The KPI is also committed to issuing warnings to several media outlets that are deemed not neutral or even disseminating information that does not comply with regulations.
The efforts made by the government to maintain political stability so that the regional elections proceed peacefully are not an easy task. However, with comprehensive and continuous efforts, the government is confident that the 2024 elections can be conducted honestly, fairly, and peacefully.
Maintaining political stability to achieve a peaceful 2024 regional election is a collective effort that requires the active role of all elements of the Indonesian nation. With a shared commitment to uphold political stability, we can ensure that the 2024 regional election will be a historic moment to strengthen democracy and build a better future for Indonesia. Thus, the public can exercise their voting rights calmly and trust that the results of the regional elections truly reflect the will of the people.
*) Law student at Mataram University
