The success or success of holding the 2024 Regional Head Election (Pilkada) is not limited to the responsibility of the Pilkada organizers alone, but is also determined by the role of all parties, including participants, organizers, voters and stakeholders. Communication and coordination between all parties across sectors is one of the components that needs to be done. This is done in order to anticipate all potential threats that could hamper the implementation of the Pilkada.
These efforts can also support the realization of the 2024 regional elections that are competent and have integrity. The East Kalimantan (Kaltim) Provincial Government through the National and Political Unity Agency (Kesbangpol) continues to strengthen inter-institutional coordination to make the regional elections which will be held on November 27 2024 a success.
Head of the Domestic Politics Division of the East Kalimantan Kesbangpol Agency, Fatimah Wati, said that with the 2024 Pilkada getting closer, preparations have been communicated with the organizers and the Regional Leadership Communication Forum (Forkopimda) in the provinces and level II regions.
For the 2024 regional elections, Bakesbangpol Kaltim has anticipated various possible technical obstacles, including adjustments to the Republic of Indonesia’s Regional Government Information System (SIPD). Intensive coordination with the KPU and Bawaslu continues to be carried out to ensure the smooth running of the General Election and Pilkada processes.
Bakesbangpol Kaltim has also taken proactive steps in guaranteeing BPJS Employment insurance to election organizers, in response to incidents that occurred in the previous election. This step makes East Kalimantan the first province to provide this insurance guarantee, followed by districts and cities in this region.
According to Fatimah, the Regional Leadership Communication Forum (Forkopimda) has become the main forum for discussion and coordination between relevant institutions in ensuring the security and smooth running of the Pilkada. Coordination meetings have been held regularly, with a focus on security aspects and the implementation of regional elections in East Kalimantan.
It is hoped that the simultaneous regional elections can run smoothly, safely and transparently, in line with the active participation of the people of East Kalimantan and results that reflect the will of the people.
The East Kalimantan Provincial Government has prepared various efforts for the smooth running of the 2024 regional elections, one of which is by disbursing grant funds to regional head election organizers, namely the KPU and Bawaslu at the provincial level.
The East Kalimantan Provincial Government has prepared an allocation of grant funds to support the holding of simultaneous regional elections in 2024. This funding is packaged for the 2024 elections which have been disbursed in the 2023 Revised Regional Revenue and Expenditure Budget (APBD) amounting to 40 percent and the 2024 APBD amounting to 60 percent of the total grant.
With a total budget of around IDR 301 billion, the East Kalimantan Provincial government has established a funding scheme which is divided into two stages. In the Amendment to the Regional Revenue and Expenditure Budget (APBD) for Fiscal Year 2023, grants amounting to IDR 120.3 billion have been distributed. Meanwhile, in the 2024 APBD, a grant of 60 percent or IDR 180.5 billion will be disbursed in May 2024.
Meanwhile, the Maluku Provincial Government, through the Civil Service Police Unit, held a Technical Coordination Meeting for SatPol PP throughout Maluku, among other things, to discuss the implementation of the 2024 Regional Elections.
Head of Maluku Province Civil Service Police Unit (Kasat) Drs. Titus FL Renwarin, M.Si said that the implementation of the Technical Coordination Meeting for SatPol PP throughout Maluku was in order to increase the synergy of programs and activities while preparing the ranks to support the success of the 2024 Regional Election.
Specifically for City Regency Pol PP, Titus hopes that the synergy of programs and activities can continue to be carried out, even if faced with limitations, but this is a source of motivation so that improvements can be made slowly.
In the context of Pilkada preparations, the tasks of the SatPol PP and the Community Protection Unit (Linmas) are one, namely to support the KPU in preparing for implementation at the polling stations, support Bawaslu for election needs, as well as support the police in carrying out security.
Acting (Pj) Regent of North Penajam Paser (PPU), Makmur Marbun also provided comments regarding the importance of cooperation from all parties in making the 2024 Pilkada a success.
Makmur Marbun said that the election of the regent and deputy regent was one of the important moments in democratic life in Indonesia, especially in the PPU. In this election, there will be 415 regents and deputy regents, as well as 93 mayors and deputy mayors who will be elected. Through this election, people have the opportunity to choose with conscience and wisely. He also invited people who already have the right to vote to work together to create a conducive atmosphere for the implementation of the 2024 regional elections.
Makmur emphasized that the PPU regional government will always be committed to holding elections that are clean, healthy and with integrity by working together with the KPU and all related parties to ensure that elections run in accordance with applicable regulations, and avoid unhealthy practices.
Various prominent figures have expressed the same view that communication and coordination are very important for the success of the 2024 regional head election (Pilkada) agenda. We as Indonesian citizens also have an important role to play in being part of the success of the Pilkada contestation. Let’s guard and support the 2024 regional elections together to produce regional leaders of quality and integrity.