By: Patih Rumaga )*
In a democratic system, the Regional Head Election (Pilkada) is a crucial moment that reflects the political dynamics at both the local and national levels. The regional elections are not only a manifestation of the people’s right to vote but also a test for various elements of the government and state apparatus in maintaining neutrality and professionalism. Especially in the midst of a political atmosphere that often heats up before elections, it is important for state apparatus to maintain integrity and neutrality for the smoothness and fairness of the electoral process.
The neutrality of state apparatus refers to the principle that government employees and public institutions do not favor any candidate or political party in the context of elections. This concept is important to ensure that the democratic process runs fairly and that the decisions made by the government are not influenced by personal political interests. In the context of regional elections, the neutrality of state apparatus becomes crucial as it plays a role in the organization of the elections, the execution of daily tasks, and public services that must be carried out without bias.
This neutrality not only involves direct actions but also encompasses the attitudes and behaviors of state apparatus in sensitive political situations. The state apparatus must be able to place public interests above personal and party political interests. This is not easy, especially when various political and social pressures can influence individual attitudes. Therefore, maintaining neutrality is a significant challenge that requires a high level of commitment and professionalism.
The General Election Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) of South Tangerang City (Tangsel) emphasizes its ongoing efforts to uphold the neutrality of civil servants in the Tangsel City Government. One of the measures being taken is to conduct socialization for civil servants regarding the prohibition of showing favoritism towards candidates in the regional elections, including liking, sharing, and commenting on social media.
The head of the Election Supervisory Body of South Tangerang City, Muhammad Acep, stated that his office is collaborating by issuing a joint decree with the National Civil Service Agency (BKN) to address the behavior of civil servants in using social media as a means for Bawaslu to curb violations of civil servant neutrality. This is because, during the recent elections, Bawaslu received numerous reports regarding the neutrality of civil servants through social media. Acep requests that all parties, including the media, assist in selecting news related to hoaxes and hate speech. Acep hopes that the media can also provide information that is calming to the public.
The maintenance of the neutrality of state apparatus has a significant positive impact on the quality of democracy and public trust. First, the neutrality of state apparatus ensures that the election process runs fairly and transparently. When state apparatus is not involved in practical politics, they can certainly carry out their duties more objectively and reduce the potential for fraud or abuse of power.
Secondly, the neutrality of state apparatus can enhance public trust in government institutions. The public tends to have more confidence in the government and the democratic process when they feel that public institutions act fairly and impartially. This high level of public trust is important for social and political stability, as well as for the successful implementation of government policies.
Third, maintaining neutrality can also strengthen the integrity and professionalism of the state apparatus itself. When state apparatus can demonstrate a strong commitment to neutrality, they will certainly be more respected and trusted in carrying out their duties, which can enhance the motivation and work spirit of state apparatus as they feel they are playing an important role in the democratic system.
The head of the KPU Manokwari, Christine R. Rumkabu, stated that the neutrality of civil servants and the military and police should not be taken lightly, as it is mandatory according to the regulations governing elections. According to him, the neutrality of the apparatus will be tested when the KPU opens the registration for prospective candidates from August 27 to 29, 2024, followed by the agenda for the determination of prospective pairs of candidates on September 22, 2024.
After that, on September 24, 2024, the campaign phase will begin, lasting for 60 days until November 24, 2024. During the campaign activities of the candidates, there are slight differences between civil servants and the military and police. The TNI-Polri should not be involved at all because they do not have the political right to vote. Meanwhile, civil servants still have the right to vote, so they are allowed to attend campaigns but with various restrictions.
A civil servant may only be passively involved during the campaign, such as listening to the visions and missions of the candidates, and is prohibited from actively participating as part of the winning team or campaign team, cannot mobilize the public, and is forbidden from using state facilities and infrastructure. The neutrality of State Civil Apparatus (ASN) is strictly regulated in Law Number 5 of 2014 concerning ASN and Law Number 7 of 2017 concerning Elections. The sanctions for civil servants who are not neutral or involved in practical politics during the elections include dismissal without honor and the imposition of criminal law, including imprisonment or fines.
Appreciating the commitment of state apparatus in maintaining neutrality ahead of the regional elections is an important step in strengthening the democratic system and enhancing public trust. The neutrality of state apparatus is a fundamental principle that ensures the electoral process runs fairly and transparently, and that public institutions operate professionally and objectively. With a strong commitment to neutrality, we can ensure that the regional elections and other democratic processes will proceed smoothly and yield decisions that reflect the will of the people fairly and objectively.
The writer is the editorial team of Kalimantan News.