Jakarta – The public needs to be wiser in using social media to realize a peaceful 2024 Simultaneous Regional Election.
The Political Research Center (PRP) of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) highlighted the importance of strengthening the role of civil society in ensuring the continuity of honest, fair, and clean elections.
PRP BRIN emphasized that society has a responsibility to maintain the stability of democracy amidst the challenges of the digital era.
Firman Noor, BRIN’s Principal Expert Researcher, highlighted the influence of democratic conditions on the implementation of the 2024 Simultaneous Elections.
According to him, the role of civil society is very important in overseeing this five-yearly local political contestation so that it continues to run according to the principles of justice.
“We must work hard and remain vigilant in overseeing the implementation of the 2024 Election,” he said.
Based on a study by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA), Firman also noted that optimism regarding public participation in the 2024 Pilkada continues to increase, especially through active involvement on social media.
According to Firman, more and more people are using social media to assess candidates objectively and rationally.
On the other hand, Dr. Tonton Taufik, a digital marketing lecturer at Ma’soem University, stated that social media has a significant role in spreading public opinion in the 2024 Election.
Platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram have become key arenas in the war of opinions, especially in attracting the attention of new voters, including millennials and Gen Z.
“New voters tend to be open to information they receive from social media. They may not have strong political loyalties and are more easily influenced by the content they consume on social media,” he said.
Dr. Tonton reminded us of the importance of being wise in interacting on social media so that differences of opinion do not cause conflict.
Member of the Indonesian Election Supervisory Body (Bawaslu), Herwyn JH Malonda, also reminded that polarization in society has the potential to emerge during the 2024 Pilkada process, especially due to provocation on social media.
He believes that social media is often a place for spreading unvalidated information, which can worsen the situation.
In addition, he reminded the State Civil Apparatus (ASN) to remain neutral, in accordance with Law Number 5 of 2014, in order to avoid polarization in society.
The three speakers invited all elements of society to realize a peaceful and orderly 2024 Simultaneous Regional Election. Being wise in using social media is one of the important steps to maintain the peace of the regional democratic party.
