By: Alfan Satria Maula )*
Regional Head Elections (Pilkada) are an important moment in the journey of democracy in Indonesia. Every five years, the people are given the opportunity to determine who will lead their respective regions. However, Pilkada is more than just an election event because it is an opportunity for the people to express their hopes, aspirations, and desires for the future of the region. The people’s voice in Pilkada is not only a right, but also a responsibility that must be carried out wisely, considering its significant impact on the direction of development and regional policies.
The General Chairperson of the Alumni Corps of the Islamic Student Association (Kahmi) Jaya, M. Ichwan Ridwan, invited all levels of society to make good use of their respective voting rights in the 2024 Pilkada. Ridwan emphasized the importance of choosing a leader who is in accordance with the expectations of the community. Smart and rational voters will ensure that the elected leader is able to accommodate the aspirations and needs of the community. This shows that the voice of the community must be heard and be the main consideration in the election.
Every voter has a responsibility to understand the candidates they will elect. The public must realize that each choice will affect the future of the region. Each candidate for leader offers a different vision, mission, and program, which will have implications for policies and the direction of development. Careful voters tend to assess the track record of candidates and the ability of the community to handle various issues facing the region. By understanding the programs proposed by the candidates, the public can make wiser and more informed decisions.
Meanwhile, Kahmi Jaya Expert Council, Achmad Fachrudin, said that public participation in the Pilkada is a must. Pilkada is basically held to channel the people’s voting rights. Pilkada is not just a formality, but also a means for candidates to run and compete democratically in winning voter support. In this context, public participation is not only needed in choosing, but also in overseeing the election process so that it takes place transparently and fairly.
Active participation from the community is essential to maintaining the quality of democracy. This includes not only being present at the polling station, but also being involved in various activities related to the election. The community is expected to follow candidate debates, read information about prospective leaders, and discuss their respective choices with friends and family. This involvement helps create more informed voters who are aware of their responsibilities.
In the democratic process, one indicator of the success of the Pilkada lies in the level of voter participation. The higher the level of participation, which is expected to reach around 70 percent of the total voters, the greater the trust and legitimacy that the Pilkada process and results will obtain. If participation is below that number, then public trust in the election process can be considered low. Therefore, increasing participation is very important to reflect public involvement in determining the future of the region.
In this regard, the Head of the Division of Socialization, Voter Education, Community Participation, and Human Resources, General Election Commission (KPU) of West Sumatra (Sumbar) Jons Manedi, conveyed the importance of the role of the younger generation in making the 2024 Pilkada a success. He invited the entire community, especially young people to actively participate in the regional head elections. This is important to do including through social media.
Through social media, people can discuss, share information, and encourage friends and family to exercise their right to vote. Organizing community events, such as workshops and panel discussions on local politics, can be an effective way to engage the community. By inviting competent speakers, the community can gain deeper insight into the issues facing the area and how potential leaders are responding to these challenges.
The people’s voice in the 2024 Pilkada will determine the direction of the future of regions throughout Indonesia. Every vote has a high value and significant impact on regional development and progress. Given the various challenges faced, it is important for every citizen to be aware of their responsibilities and use their voting rights wisely for a better future for the region.
With high hopes and aspirations, the community is expected to not only vote, but also actively contribute to building a better region. Every individual has an important role in realizing positive change for their respective regions. Therefore, it is expected that the community will use their voting rights wisely and commit to ensuring that the community’s voice becomes part of a healthy and sustainable democratic process.
Through active participation and collective awareness, the community can work together to build a brighter future for all regions in Indonesia. The success of the 2024 Pilkada lies not only in the election of the right leader, but also in how much the community is involved in every step of the democratic process. Thus, the voice of the community will be the determinant for the realization of the ideals of comprehensive and sustainable development in every corner of the country.
)* Indonesian Voters Committee (Edge)
