By: Mayang Dwi Andaru)*
Realizing a peaceful Pilkada is a shared responsibility, both for Pilkada participants, the government, and the community. There is no room for hate speech or SARA issues in a healthy democratic process.
Elections, including regional elections, should be a forum for the exchange of ideas, not personal attacks. By avoiding hate speech and fake news, we can create a safe and peaceful regional election, where every citizen feels involved without fear or division.
In the context of the 2024 Pilkada, the General Election Commission (KPU) and the DKI Jakarta Election Supervisory Body (Bawaslu) have reminded the importance of keeping the election process peaceful, free from hate speech that can divide society.
In an event organized by the Indonesian Christian Church (GKI) West Java Regional Synod, the Coordinator of the Prevention and Community Participation Division of the DKI Jakarta Bawaslu, Burhanuddin, emphasized that active participation of the community, including religious groups, is very important to maintain a conducive Pilkada atmosphere.
This event is proof that maintaining peace in the regional elections is not only the task of the government or organizing institutions, but also the responsibility of every individual in society.
The discussion entitled “Pilkada Asyik, Pilkada Penting” in the Tanjung Duren area, West Jakarta, became a moment of reflection on the vulnerabilities that may occur during the Pilkada. Burhanuddin highlighted a number of prohibitions that must be followed by candidate pairs, campaign teams, and even supporters.
Hate speech, spreading hoaxes, and using issues of Tribe, Religion, Race, and Inter-Group (SARA) should not be part of the campaign strategy. Every candidate and their supporters are expected to be more focused on conveying a positive and constructive vision, mission, and work program.
The statement is a reminder for all parties not to get caught up in negative campaigns. The campaign period, which runs until November 23, should be an arena for candidate pairs to compete healthily and present their plans to advance their regions.
The delivery of ideas and concepts must be done openly and responsibly, not through methods that damage national unity.
Astri Megatari, Head of the Voter Education Socialization and Public Relations Division of the DKI Jakarta KPU, added that the community, as the main element in the Pilkada, has an important role in determining the right leader.
Astri invites the public to become smart voters, namely voters who are critical in choosing, understand their rights and responsibilities as citizens, and do not get caught up in money politics or divisive issues.
Smart voters, according to Astri, are those who are able to see and assess candidates based on their vision, mission, and work programs. The community, including religious groups such as GKI, is also an important part of this process. By being critical voters and not easily provoked, we can keep the Pilkada in a peaceful and safe atmosphere.
On the other hand, the Ministry of Communication and Information (Kemenkominfo) has taken proactive steps by collaborating with six major digital platforms to campaign for the 2024 Peaceful Regional Elections in the digital space.
Collaboration between the government and digital platforms such as Meta, Google, TikTok, Telegram, SnackVideo, and LINE aims to protect the digital space from negative content, including hoaxes related to the Pilkada. This shows that protecting the Pilkada from hate speech and fake news is not only done in the real world, but also in cyberspace.
Minister of Communication and Information, Budi Arie Setiadi, emphasized that the commitment to maintaining a conducive digital space has been ongoing since the 2024 simultaneous elections. In the last three months, findings of hoax content related to the regional elections have been very minimal, only six cases, which were immediately handled in less than an hour.
This is proof that collaboration between the government and digital platforms can create a healthier and more controlled information ecosystem.
Furthermore, the declaration of the 2024 Peaceful Regional Election in the digital space also opens the door to collaboration with various elements of society. Mass media, religious figures, social media activists, academics, and civil society are invited to jointly maintain a safe, peaceful, and conducive Pilkada atmosphere.
The message that we want to convey is that regional elections are not only about political competition, but also about realizing meaningful and quality democracy.
A peaceful election will not be realized without the active participation of all elements of society. Avoiding hate speech, rejecting hoaxes, and not getting caught up in identity politics are the first steps to creating a better democratic process.
Pilkada participants, the government, digital platforms, and the community have their respective roles in ensuring that the 2024 Pilkada can run smoothly. The call for a peaceful Pilkada should not be just words, but must be realized in real actions.
Ultimately, the 2024 Pilkada is an opportunity for all of us to show that democracy in Indonesia can run peacefully and with dignity. By avoiding hate speech and spreading messages of peace, we are not only maintaining national unity, but also helping to realize a fair and just election process.
Let’s work together to realize a safe, peaceful, and joyful Pilkada, where everyone can participate without fear or intimidation.
)* the author is a contributor to the Sadawira Utama Institute