By: Yuda Pramono Andi*
Not long ago the number 2 presidential candidate, Prabowo Subianto invited his supporters to stay at the polling station (TPS) on the voting day. This was revealed in front of his supporters on Tuesday (03/12/2019) then in the Assakinah Building, Cianjur. In addition to asking his supporters to work hard to increase the electability of the number 2 pair, Prabowo also appreciated his supportive spirit in Cianjur.
The invitation to stay at the polling station was intended to be aware of the ‘ghost voters’. So, don’t let anyone who has died still be listed as a voter. The action was considered excessive considering that in each polling station there will be parties who have made security, both from the Police and the Election Supervisory Body. The action of staying at a polling station was actually seen as an act of intimidation for the surrounding community during the election.
People who should be able to cast their votes calmly have to be alarmed because there are parties other than the authorities who live in the TPS area. Even Prabowo suggested making a soup kitchen around the polling station and inviting mothers and fathers to take care of polling stations while carrying mats, basket and others. This will certainly disrupt the election because of the potential for friction between the official supervisor and the general public.
Volunteers Invited To Monitor Elections
Actually the invitation to ‘stay’ at the polling station is not right. The volunteers were invited to oversee the running of the general elections at the polling station without having to stay overnight. Volunteers are encouraged to help smooth the running of elections by controlling polling stations so that they are ready and there are no obstacles on the voting day. They can help with the readiness to carry out voting such as making sure the ballot is complete or making sure the ballot box is empty at the beginning of the ballot. So, not the stay but ensuring there is no cheating.
On the other hand, volunteers supporting number 1 Jokowi-Maufuf who are members of the Kopi Politik Syndicate (KPS) actually welcomed the invitation for Prabowo-Sandi volunteers to stay at TPS. Even KPS is willing to provide bedding such as mats and food for volunteers number 02 who want to stay at the polling station. This was done in order to maintain order and peace in the process of counting the votes.
If supervision is carried out together without intimidation, certainly what is created is a good relationship of brotherhood. The key is without intimidation and cheating. Without these two things, democracy can be well preserved in this country.
Beware of Movement Intimidation
Meanwhile, the Indonesian Police Headquarters Intelligence and Security Agency (Baintelkam) detected a movement that could potentially intervene in the voting process at polling stations. The movement called ‘White Wednesday’ is suspected to be carried out by a group of people. After the morning prayer, the masses will then come to the polling station and intimidate the public not to exercise their right to vote.
This certainly violates the right to vote held by every Indonesian citizen. Therefore, Baintelkam ensured that the government and officials guaranteed citizens’ right to vote. Any form of intimidation by any group is not permitted. Especially if the acts of intimidation carried out in the name of religion must be watched out for.
The KPU itself has invited foreign observers from the EMB as representatives from 33 countries to monitor the voting process on April 17 and April 18, 2019. Local monitors were included to monitor around 809,500 polling stations throughout Indonesia. This was done in order to reduce the occurrence of fraud and deficiencies during the voting.
Volunteers are certainly allowed to monitor the voting process at polling stations so that they are in accordance with the rules and are free from fraud. However, actually there is no need to stay overnight, even making tents or public kitchens. Even if you want to make tents and public kitchens you should not become a step of intimidation that can cause friction in the community.
Both Jokowi-Ma’ruf volunteers and Prabowo-Sandi volunteers both encouraged the public to come to polling stations, vote and watch the vote counting process. Similarly, the supervision process should be carried out appropriately along with the authorities. Even if you find fraud, immediately notify the authorities so that they can be followed up.
*) The author is an observer of social and political problems