By : Sabrina Aulia )*
Security forces and election organizers are committed to maintaining professionalism in order to realize the 2024 regional elections that are fair and transparent. With this commitment, it is hoped that public trust can be maintained and voter participation can increase.
The 2024 Regional Head Election (Pilkada) is an important moment in Indonesia’s democratic journey. Because, Pilkada is not just an event to elect leaders at the regional level, but is also a reflection of the extent to which democracy is running well in this country.
Security is one of the most crucial aspects in implementing regional elections. Without security guarantees, people will be reluctant to participate in the election process. The reason behind the importance of maintaining security in the 2024 Pilkada is that Pilkada is often an event prone to conflict, especially if there is dissatisfaction from one of the parties.
This conflict could not only disrupt the election process but also have the potential to cause wider unrest. Maintaining security can avoid potential conflicts and ensure that the election process runs smoothly.
When people feel safe, they will have more confidence in coming to the polling station (TPS). This sense of security does not only come from physical security but also from data security and the integrity of the election itself. Good security also includes strict supervision of the entire election process, from distribution of election logistics to vote counting. This aims to prevent all forms of fraud that could damage the integrity of the regional elections.
Apart from security, the professionalism of all parties involved in the Pilkada, including the General Election Commission (KPU), the Election Supervisory Body (Bawaslu), security forces, and the candidates, greatly determines the success of the Pilkada.
In East Java, to welcome the contest, a number of activists declared the East Java regional elections peaceful. Chairman of PGN Makorwil East Java, Purba Laksana Siswanto, said that this declaration aims to support the implementation of the 2024 East Java Regional Election in a peaceful manner and with integrity.
Apart from that, he and the 15 people there hope that the people of East Java will play an active role in all stages of the 2024 East Java Regional Election in an honest, fair, polite, cultured and dignified manner.
He hopes that regional election participants will carry out campaign activities in an orderly manner and follow the agreed and established rules.
Purba believes that in every political contest, society is often clashed by parties who have an interest in boosting one of the candidate pairs. Then, people often become victims of political interests which will later lead to crimes and SARA issues. Considering this, it is very necessary to carry out some kind of socialization activities and some kind of education for the community. So that people become intelligent and are not easily provoked by provocation.
Apart from security, the professionalism of all parties involved in the Pilkada, including the General Election Commission (KPU), the Election Supervisory Body (Bawaslu), security forces, and the candidates, greatly determines the success of the Pilkada. As stated by the Head of the Intelligence Section at the Mojokerto City District Prosecutor’s Office, Joko Sutrisno, SH, MH
His party supports holding these regional elections in a professional, safe, objective and peaceful manner. Furthermore, he added that he would provide information obtained from the prosecutor’s office, if he finds anything deviant that must be dealt with in accordance with applicable regulations, for example money politics, or non-neutral ASN and others.
This was also welcomed by the Head of the Economic, Financial and Strategic Development Security Sub-Section in the Intelligence Section of the Mojokerto City District Prosecutor’s Office, Agung Setyolaksono Atmojo, SH, who said that the prosecutor’s office itself also maintains order in the internal sphere against money politics. In the prosecutor’s office, the attitude of ASN is neutral and stays away from money politics.
Ahead of the 2024 Pilkada, there is already a voter data updating officer (Pantarlih) formed by the General Election Commission (KPU). They are obliged to match data from DP4 (List of Potential Election Voter Population) with the reality on the ground.
Kordiv P2H Bawaslu Bondowoso Sholikhul Huda said, in terms of monitoring Matching and Research (Coklit), Bawaslu officials will carry out sampling tests for 21 days. Subdistrict/Village Officers (PKD) are required to carry out picking tests every day for 10 families. This is to ensure the matching and research process runs according to the rules.
The Ministry of Religion of South Sulawesi Province is ready to support and synergize with all stakeholders in order to realize the 2024 Regional Head Election (Pilkada) which is smooth, safe, peaceful and clean.
Head of the South Sulawesi Ministry of Religion Regional Office, HM. Tonang, said that this year’s democratic process, apart from being a historic event, is also the obligation of all of us as citizens and as religious people to support and contribute fully to its success.
To realize the 2024 regional elections that are successful and get high participation from the public, maintaining security and professionalism are non-negotiable. Security provides a sense of security for the public to participate, while professionalism ensures that the entire election process runs transparently, fairly and accountably. Therefore, all Indonesian people, from organizers, security forces, to voters, need to work together to maintain security and professionalism for the sake of a better democratic future.
)* The author is a political observer