By: Nurul Janida )*
The political and social situation ahead of the 2024 Pilkada dispute trial has become a serious concern for various parties. The Constitutional Court (MK) has received hundreds of applications for disputes over Pilkada results covering the election of governors, regents, and mayors. The first trial for these cases is scheduled to begin in early January 2025.
MK Chief Justice Suhartoyo said that the integrity of the judiciary must be strictly maintained, especially in dealing with disputes over regional head election results. He stressed that the Court will not tolerate efforts by parties who try to influence judges’ decisions through unethical means, such as bribery or other inducements.
Suhartoyo appealed to the public and the media to actively report if they find any indication of such violations. According to him, close cooperation between journalists, the public, and the Constitutional Court is very important to maintain public trust in the judicial institution. This is a concrete step in preventing unfounded negative images regarding the independence of judges.
To date, the Court has received 240 applications for disputes over the 2024 Pilkada. Of these, two cases involve the gubernatorial election, while 194 cases relate to the regent election, and 44 other cases relate to the mayoral election. The case registration process is still ongoing, considering that the deadline for filing disputes differs in each region, according to the schedule for determining the results by the General Election Commission (KPU).
Suhartoyo revealed that the first trial for the 2024 Pilkada dispute will most likely begin in early January 2025. The trial process will later be divided into panels consisting of three constitutional judges. This approach is taken to ensure that each case is handled in depth and professionally.
Meanwhile, various parties in the regions are also taking anticipatory steps to maintain social stability. One of these initiatives is a public dialogue themed “Integration of the Nation’s Children Post-2024 Regional Elections to Create a Safe and Sentosa West Java Province” organized by the West Java Regional Police. This dialogue aims to identify concrete strategies in creating harmony after the Regional Elections.
Head of Public Relations of the Indonesian National Police, Brigadier General Pol. Erlangga, said that the Pilkada is an important moment in democracy that often brings challenges in the form of social polarization. According to him, integration efforts involving various parties, including religious figures, academics, and the community, are key to creating social stability.
On the same occasion, the importance of national reconciliation after the regional elections was emphasized. Reconciliation is considered an initial step to restore public trust in the democratic system. National values, such as mutual cooperation and unity, must be the main foundation in every effort to ease political tensions.
Academician, Prof. Dr. Uman Suherman, said that Pancasila Democracy is a solid foundation for managing diversity in Indonesia. He emphasized that the diversity that exists in society, whether in terms of religion, culture, or social status, is a strength that needs to be celebrated and managed wisely.
Furthermore, Prof. Uman explained that diversity should be a unifier, not a divider. With the principles of Pancasila Democracy, society can resolve differences peacefully and productively. He also reminded that education and cross-cultural dialogue are effective tools for building understanding and tolerance between citizens.
In addition, the role of community leaders and regional leaders is considered very important in creating a conducive atmosphere. They are expected to be role models in maintaining a neutral attitude and prioritizing common interests over group interests. This effort can encourage the community not to be provoked by irresponsible issues.
The West Java Regional Police also emphasized that security forces will act firmly against any form of provocation that could trigger conflict. In his statement, Brigadier General Pol. Erlangga said that the National Police had prepared strategic steps to secure the Pilkada process up to the dispute resolution stage at the Constitutional Court.
In addition, the use of information technology is also proposed as one way to increase transparency in the Pilkada process. With the support of technology, the public can directly monitor the development of ongoing cases, so that trust in the legal system can be maintained.
On the other hand, various non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are actively monitoring the Pilkada process. They are committed to educating the public about the importance of maintaining harmony during the legal process. This education is expected to reduce the potential for friction at the grassroots level.
In this context, Chief Justice Suhartoyo reiterated that the Court will carry out its duties with full responsibility. He ensured that all legal processes will be transparent and in accordance with the principles of justice. This commitment is expected to be able to reduce the potential for conflict that may arise due to dissatisfaction with the results of the regional elections.
This condition shows that cooperation between various elements of society is needed to maintain a conducive situation. Both the government, society, and the media have important roles in creating a peaceful and harmonious atmosphere during the legal process.
With the planned steps, it is hoped that the 2024 Pilkada dispute can be resolved fairly and professionally, so that Indonesian democracy becomes more mature and of higher quality. All parties are urged to continue to prioritize dialogue and mutual understanding for the sake of the nation and state.
)* The author is a Malang student living in Jakarta
