By: Ardiansyah Gunawan
The 2024 Simultaneous Regional Elections have become one of the most anticipated moments throughout Indonesia. This regional head election will determine leaders in various areas, who are expected to bring change and progress to their respective regions.
However, behind the vibrant local democratic festivities, the potential for social friction often arises, especially in areas with high political rivalry. For this reason, the role of security forces in maintaining a conducive atmosphere during the regional election process is very crucial.
The security apparatus, in this case the police and military, has taken various preventive measures to ensure that the situation remains conducive throughout the regional political contest.
One of the main strategies implemented is the “cooling system,” an approach aimed at diffusing potential conflicts and preventing tensions in society. This cooling system serves as a proactive effort by security forces to ensure that political differences do not escalate into social conflicts that could harm many parties.
The Chief of Police, General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, emphasized the importance of this strategy as part of efforts to maintain national security stability during the Regional Head Elections. With a cooling system, security apparatus can detect potential conflicts early and take anticipatory measures to prevent escalation.
One tangible form of this strategy is strict oversight of campaign activities, management of information circulating on social media, and enhancing communication with community leaders and religious figures to jointly maintain peace.
The security apparatus is also mapping areas that have a high potential for conflict. These regions typically have a strong history of political rivalry or a very high level of political participation, which often triggers clashes among the supporters of candidates.
In this case, the cooling system aims to ease the political temperature and ensure that the regional election process runs peacefully and orderly. Security has been tightened in vulnerable areas, and authorities continue to patrol and engage in dialogue with the community to ease tensions.
The Assistant Chief of Police for Human Resources (HR), Inspector General Dedi Prasetyo, emphasized the importance of the role of security personnel, not only in maintaining order but also in facilitating healthy communication among groups with differing political views.
Dedi Prasetyo emphasized that security personnel must always maintain a neutral position to uphold public trust in their integrity and professionalism. By remaining neutral, security forces can prevent the emergence of negative perceptions that could trigger dissatisfaction among the community.
In addition, information management is one of the keys to the success of the cooling system. In this digital era, the spread of inaccurate information or even hoaxes occurs very quickly, especially on social media.
Disinformation and black campaigns are often exploited by irresponsible individuals to heat up the political situation, provoke community groups, and trigger unnecessary tensions.
Therefore, security forces are collaborating with various related agencies, including the Press Council, to ensure that the information conveyed to the public is verified and does not incite conflict.
Member of the Press Council, Totok Suyanto, also highlighted the important role of the media in maintaining a conducive political climate during the regional elections. The media has a significant responsibility to provide balanced, accurate, and non-provocative information.
Thus, the media can function as a balancing force capable of educating the public about the importance of maintaining peace during the Regional Head Election process. Misinformation must be countered with valid information, and this requires close collaboration between the media, security forces, and the community.
Furthermore, the cooling system also involves the active role of the community. Security apparatus cannot work alone in creating a conducive atmosphere. Therefore, they continue to encourage the community to participate in maintaining security and order during the regional elections.
Community participation in maintaining harmony in their environment, avoiding provocation, and reporting suspicious activities is crucial in ensuring that the regional elections proceed safely.
The implementation of the cooling system is also carried out with a humanistic approach. The security apparatus prioritizes dialogue and a persuasive approach in interacting with the community. These steps have proven effective in preventing physical clashes between groups with differing political views.
This humanistic approach shows that security personnel not only function as overseers but also as peacekeepers who care about social stability in areas conducting local elections.
In addition to monitoring the situation on the ground, the cooling system also closely oversees the campaign’s progress in the online world. Activities on social media, which are often difficult to monitor, can become a source of conflict if not managed properly.
The police and the cyber team are collaborating to monitor content that could potentially incite unrest in society. This step is crucial to prevent the spread of content that incites or provokes, which could disrupt the political process.
The biggest challenge in keeping the regional elections conducive is ensuring that every party, both the candidates and their supporters, shares the same commitment to creating a peaceful atmosphere. The cooling system has become an important instrument in anticipating the potential for conflict.
However, the success of this system greatly depends on the cooperation of all parties, including community leaders, religious figures, and all elements of society. With a good synergy between security forces and the community, the potential for unrest can be minimized as much as possible.
By fully supporting the cooling system efforts carried out by security forces, it is hoped that social stability during the Simultaneous Regional Elections in 2024 will be maintained. The regional elections can proceed smoothly without significant disruptions, resulting in leaders who are elected through a process that is honest, fair, and peaceful.
The stability maintained during the regional elections will not only impact the smoothness of the political process but also provide a strong foundation for regional development post-elections. Therefore, every element of society needs to fully support the efforts of security forces in maintaining order and safety during this local political contest.
The author is a Political Policy Analyst at the Fajar Institute for Political Studies.