By: Aristika Utami
Regional Head Elections (Pilkada) are one of the important milestones in Indonesian democracy. This process is a momentum for the community to choose leaders who will bring change and development to their respective regions. The implementation of the 2024 Pilkada in several regions in Indonesia shows significant progress in terms of security and conduciveness. This situation deserves to be appreciated as the result of the hard work of various parties, including the government, election organizers, security forces, and the community.
One indicator of the success of the Pilkada is the creation of a safe and conducive situation during the election process, starting from the preparation stage, implementation, to the transmission of votes. In the last simultaneous Pilkada, a number of regions recorded great success in maintaining security stability. There were no significant reports of security disturbances or riots that could disrupt the election process.
The Chairman of the Jakarta General Election Commission, Wahyu Dinata, said that his party is grateful and expresses its deepest appreciation to the National Police for maintaining security stability in the political year, so that this people’s party can be held safely and conducively.
In addition, his party also appreciates the Police who always act predictively and responsively in dealing with various issues or incidents that are of concern to the public.
This success cannot be separated from the active role of security forces, such as the Police and TNI, who work together with election organizers, such as the KPU and Bawaslu. With the implementation of a mature security strategy, the authorities are able to anticipate various potential threats, both physical and digital, such as hoax news and propaganda that can divide society.
Head of the Technical Division of the Jakarta General Election Commission (KPU) Dody Wijaya, Jakarta is one of the 5 vulnerable areas in the Election and Regional Election Vulnerability Index (IPKP).
However, the coordination and collaboration of the Jakarta KPU with the National Police has succeeded in implementing the Pilkada with zero revotes (Zero PSU) and without any disputes over election results.
Technological advances also play an important role in supporting the implementation of safe and conducive Pilkada. Like the e-vote recapitulation system helps minimize potential conditions in vote counting, so that the election results can be accepted by all parties. Digital platforms managed by the KPU or Bawaslu also provide easy access to information for the public to organize Pilkada.
The e-vote recapitulation system also helps minimize potential conditions in vote counting, so that the election results can be accepted by all parties. In addition, the digital platform managed by the KPU or Bawaslu provides easy access to information for the public to organize the Pilkada.
Deputy Chief of West Papua Police, Brigadier General Pol Drs. Yosi Muhamartha said that his party is grateful to the entire community for their support and cooperation in maintaining the security and public order situation so that the Pilkada voting process runs safely, comfortably and peacefully. Where the community is wise in receiving information, not believing hoax news that cannot be accounted for.
Social media is also an important tool to educate the public about the importance of peaceful elections. Digital literacy campaigns intensified by the government, community organizations, and community leaders have helped reduce the spread of false information or propaganda that has the potential to cause conflict.
The success of holding a safe and conducive Pilkada is also inseparable from the role of the community. Public awareness of the importance of maintaining unity and respecting differences in political choices is a major factor in creating a harmonious situation.
In various regions, the community is actively involved in election supervision through participatory supervision. This is demonstrated by the formation of volunteer election monitoring groups that work together with Bawaslu to ensure that there are no violations during this time.
In addition, the community also shows increasing political maturity. Despite differences in political views or choices, the community is able to put common interests above all else.
The success of a safe and conducive Pilkada will not be achieved without hard work and cooperation from various parties. The government through the KPU and Bawaslu has shown a strong commitment to holding honest and fair elections. The security forces also deserve appreciation for their dedication in maintaining security stability, even in areas prone to conflict.
The success of the implementation of a safe and conducive Pilkada must be used as capital to continue to improve the democratic process in Indonesia. The government and election organizers need to continue to innovate, both in terms of technology management and regulatory enforcement, to ensure that the next Pilkada can run even better.
On the other hand, the public must also continue to be given continuous political education so that they can become smart and wise voters. With synergy between all elements of the nation, the Pilkada in the future will not only be an event for electing leaders, but also a symbol of unity and progress of Indonesian democracy.
With all the efforts and achievements that have been achieved, it is only right that we give the highest appreciation to all parties who have contributed to realizing a safe, peaceful, and conducive Pilkada. Hopefully this success can continue to be preserved and improved in the next Pilkada.
)* Public Observer
