CIDISS. The democracy party will be held by a number of regions in Indonesia. In celebration, candidates must express their vision and mission to the community as one of the methods of gathering support. One method is to conduct a campaign directly so that people feel closer to the candidate. However, it is not uncommon for certain individuals to undermine the conduciveness of regional head elections by performing unlawful means to gain support from the public, one of which is to engage in money politics.
The selection of the governor of Riau is currently indicated to have been injured by the emergence of money politics. The Integrated Law Enforcement Center appoints members of the Bengkalis Regional House of Representatives from the Democratic Party, Nur Azmi Hasyim as suspects in money politics case. In fact, the number of suspects also increased when the police also include Nur Azmi’s adjutant as a suspect. Both are suspected of doing money politics in campaign activities in District Rupat, Bengkalis Regency on 13 April 2018 when Nur Azmi conduct recess and hold futsa race. In the race, Nur Azmi along with his aide distributed a white envelope inserted in the shirt belonging to the Governor and Vice Governor of Riau No. 3.
The findings related to the money politic case were first known and reported by the field supervisory committee. After the settlement, there is an indication of violation by Nur Azmi.
Related to this case, Chairman of the Election Supervisory Agency, Abhan stated, this case should be a moment for the ranks of local election organizers in Riau to be more diligent in conducting surveillance and anticipate the violations that may occur. This is because the implementation of local elections is currently prone to violations, especially when voting that will be held on June 27, 2018 next to the implementation of fasting and Lebaran 2018.
These findings have injured the spirit to create fair and just regional elections. However, this incident does not mean that the running of 2018 regional election will always be colored by such incidents. This incident was created as a result of a particular person who used the cheating method to achieve the public’s voice. In fact, by implementing that way, people will increasingly antipathy and not vote for the candidate. With the spirit of together, let us succeed in the implementation of the election of regional heads in their respective regions.
By: Mirwan Achmad *)