By: Silvia AP )*
Approaching the implementation of the Simultaneous Regional Elections on November 27 2024, political dynamics in Indonesia are very dynamic. Various issues continue to emerge on online media platforms, print media and social media. One of the issues that often arises in every general election and regional head election is attempts to provoke white groups (Golput) or not exercising their right to vote.
Golput is a term that refers to people who deliberately choose not to vote in elections. This choice is often seen as a form of protest against a political process that is deemed not to reflect the people’s hopes. However, in the context of regional elections, the choice to abstain could have a negative impact on the sustainability of democracy and the future of regional development. Therefore, it is important for the public to be alert to all forms of provocation that encourage abstention.
In the context of regional elections, abstentions can have a significant impact on election results. When the majority of people choose to abstain, the elected candidate may not reflect the wishes of the majority of the population and could result in the government not having strong legitimacy and disrupting the development process in the region.
In addition, low voter participation can affect political stability in the region. With weak legitimacy, elected governments potentially face greater challenges in implementing effective policies. This political instability can lead to social conflict, which will ultimately be detrimental to society itself.
Active participation in regional elections is also important to ensure that regional development runs well. Every vote cast in the election contributes to determining the leader who will direct important policies in the region, from infrastructure development to improving community welfare.
In every election event, there are always parties who try to influence the election results in various ways, one of which is through Golput provocation. This provocation can come from various directions, both from groups who are dissatisfied with the political system, and from political actors who have their own agenda.
Golput provocations are often carried out through negative campaigns that undermine the importance of the election and spread pessimism towards the candidates competing. The goal is to make people feel that there is no point in voting, because whoever is elected will not bring meaningful change. This tactic is very dangerous, because it can trigger public distrust of the democratic process itself.
Social media has also become one of the main means of spreading Golput provocations. With its wide reach and ability to spread information quickly, social media is often used to spread narratives that disparage the election.
Apart from that, the Golput provocation can also be used as a political tactic by groups who feel they have no chance of winning the election. By encouraging abstention, groups hope to reduce the legitimacy of elected candidates and create political instability. This tactic is very detrimental to the democratic process, because it ignores the importance of active participation in elections as a means of voicing the aspirations of the people.
To overcome the Golput provocation, public awareness of the importance of political participation must be increased. Every individual has an important role in determining the future of their region through their voting rights. By voting, the community can ensure that the elected leader candidate is someone who has a vision and mission that suits regional needs.
DKI Jakarta KPUD Commissioner, Astri Megatari, said that his party is optimistic that DKI Jakarta residents are now intelligent, critical, and can evaluate the three candidate pairs with an open mind and view. Moreover, he said that DKI Jakarta residents are also digitally literate so they are increasingly critical in making their choices.
One way to increase public awareness is through better political education. Political education must start from an early age, both in the school environment and in communities. Through political education, people can understand the importance of the electoral process and its impact on daily life.
Apart from that, the media also has an important role in increasing public awareness. The media must present objective and educational information about the importance of elections and political participation. In this way, the public will not be easily influenced by negative campaigns that encourage abstention.
Supervision of political campaigns must also be tightened, especially those carried out on social media. Currently, there are many black campaigns that spread false information to encourage abstention. Tighter monitoring of such campaigns could help reduce their negative impact on society.
Serang City MUI Secretary KH Amas Tadjuddin said that the public is obliged to determine the choice of their leader candidate in the regional elections, because the MUI has a fatwa that there should be no abstentions. His party stated that they must maintain the neutrality and dignity of the MUI institutionally. Amas also invited all the people of Serang City to maintain harmony, so that the Serang City Pilkada which will be held on Wednesday 27 November 2024 will be peaceful.
The government and related institutions also need to be active in socializing the importance of participation in regional elections. Campaigns that encourage people to exercise their right to vote must be carried out more intensively, especially in areas that have low levels of voter participation. This campaign must cover all levels of society, from young voters to elderly voters, to ensure that all groups of society are involved in the democratic process.
)* The author is from the editorial team of the Student Press Institute (LPM) Ideas