Beware of Abstentions in the 2024 Election, Disrupting the Implementation of Democracy in Indonesia
By : Maya Naura Lingga )*
The entire community should increase their self-vigilance not to abstain and also not be easily swayed by any issues, including calls to abstain from abstention in the 2024 elections. The reason is, if the number of abstentions is high, it will clearly disrupt the entire process of upholding the principles of democracy in Indonesia itself and cause a lot of harm to society itself.
The Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia (Menko Polhukam RI), Mahfud MD called on all elements of society from various circles and backgrounds to continue and continue to use their right to vote or not become a white group (golput) at the implementation of the democratic party and political contestation in the General Election (Pemilu) in 2024.
The reason is that, for example, if many people in the community prefer to abstain from voting, it is clear that the people themselves who will be disadvantaged because they cannot take part and participate directly and actively in the implementation of the upcoming elections. Because, in fact, the democratic party event is able to prevent more evil or bad people from leading, so that in the future, this nation will only be led by leaders who are of the quality chosen by the people.
Because some of the characteristics of a good leader candidate are when he is not only able to continue to listen to all the aspirations of his people, but also requires maturity and maturity, especially at the political party (Parpol) level from the elite to the grass roots so that The democratic process, which takes place every five years, can run smoothly and safely.
Likewise, the Indonesian Islamic Da’wah Institute (LDII) in Central Java Province (Jateng) strictly prohibits all of its citizens from taking the position of belonging to the white group, aka abstaining from voting in the upcoming 2024 elections. Because of that, it will be one of the efforts of the community to be able to contribute to the realization of the Golden Indonesia era in 2045.
Therefore, the Chairman of LDII Central Java, Singgih Tri Sulistiyono emphasized that all elements of society in LDII must use their voting rights in the upcoming 2024 elections. Because in reality, by using the right to vote, the application of democratic principles in Indonesia is also carried out much more optimally because people can determine their own right to choose and are active in using these various political rights. As one of the criteria for a good citizen, of course don’t abstain from abstention.
Some of the erroneous assumptions that are usually held by people who choose to abstain are that it is as if their one vote has absolutely no influence or impact whatsoever. In fact, it is clear that if such thoughts continue to be had, it will actually increase the chances of people abstaining from voting.
For this reason, when many people in the community then abstain, losing just one vote can really be a determining factor for the victory of a particular party and could change this country in its efforts to become much more advanced and much better in the future.
So, it is clear that the high number of abstentions from the public in the upcoming 2024 elections will have various very negative impacts on the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI). One of them is clear that a high abstention rate will greatly disrupt the implementation of democratic principles in the country.
It should be a democratic country, which means the country is able to involve all its citizens in making and taking decisions, either directly or representatively. However, with the high number of abstentions that occur, it is the same as showing that the public will no longer be able to feel the implementation of democratic principles at all, but they will become much more apathetic towards the leaders who are nominated, including being apathetic about the future sustainability of the country.
Apart from that, if the public prefers to abstain, they will also seriously disrupt the possibility of electing a leader candidate who is actually very worthy and the most ideal figure to lead the country with all the real work programs that are really needed by the people themselves.
Because, of course, in the upcoming 2024 election contest, the candidates who are running will have and offer various kinds of interesting ideas or ideas regarding the vision and mission and what kind of work program they want to carry out when they succeed in leading. However, unfortunately, no matter how good the work program that the candidates have, it certainly will not be optimal and cannot be implemented if they are not selected just because of the high number of abstentions.
Efforts to uphold the principles of democracy in Indonesia will be greatly disrupted and also threatened by the high number of abstentions committed by the public in the upcoming 2024 elections. Therefore, all parties should continue to be alert and not get caught up in the narrative of an invitation to abstain in any form because it is very detrimental.
)* The author is a contributor to Ruang Baca Nusantara
