By : Arzan Malik Narendra )*
The general election (Pemilu) is the right moment to maintain national unity. When there are differences in the choice of parties or presidential candidates, it does not mean that you have to fight. The community agreed to maintain peace and unity, both during the campaign period, the election, and even after the election.
Election is a grand event that is held every 5 years and the people are waiting for it with enthusiasm, because they want to get a new leader candidate. Since the reform era, the Indonesian people have been freed to choose their own presidential candidate, not the same as in the past, choosing parties and candidates. Elections are thrilling events because the results can be beyond predictions.
Chairman of the General Election Commission (KPU) Abdul Hafiz Anshari stated that during elections, people should not be provoked by information that could divide the nation. He is also happy because so far the implementation of elections in South Kalimantan has always been harmonious and peaceful.
Abdul Hafiz added that elections were held in the framework of upholding democracy to unite the nation so that they have strong and tough leaders. The community must remain conducive to welcoming the 2024 general election.
In a sense, the 2024 election is still next year and the campaign period has not yet started. But people still have to remember to maintain national unity. Don’t get divided during the Election, because it is influenced by hoaxes and propaganda that are deliberately spread by provocateurs.
Peace must also be maintained because the campaign period for presidential candidates (candidates for president) can escalate emotions and make the situation even hotter. Therefore, the public must remember that elections and pre-elections are carried out peacefully. Unity must be maintained so that Indonesia is safe and peaceful.
Singer and politician, Rhoma Irama, gave a message about the General Election which will soon be held. Don’t let elections become tools to divide people. People must remember to maintain unity during elections. We are entering a political year, in politics, in the era of democracy, different is one obligation, different obligations. In politics there is green, there is yellow, there is red, there is blue, there are all kinds of colors.
Rhoma Irama added, people should not be hostile to each other because of elections. Moreover, in a democracy there will definitely be a difference in voting, so he reminded that people can continue to unite. If there is no difference, it is called autocracy.
Meanwhile, democracy must be different. When we are apart, we must unite. Therefore, people need to always be aware that differences are not a reason to trigger divisions.
Elections must be prepared so that there are no errors or fraud in the process. Peace must also be maintained because the campaign period for the presidential candidates (candidates for president) can escalate emotions and make the situation escalate. Therefore, the public must remember that elections and pre-elections are carried out peacefully.
Harmony and unity must be maintained ahead of the 2024 elections. The community is expected to be able to play a major role in creating peaceful elections. Elections are an event to choose leaders and candidates for new legislation. Do not make it a place of war or fierce hostilities because you are too supportive of a particular political party or presidential candidate.
If you reflect on the 2014 and 2019 elections, hostilities took place in cyberspace and the situation was so hot that there were bad nicknames from each of the presidential candidate supporting camps at that time. Don’t let this happen again because people should be adults and leave hostilities. Elections must be fair (honest and fair) and uphold peace in Indonesia.
Hostilities must be abolished because they can be used by provocateurs and individuals who want to take advantage of adversity. Do not let there be social chaos because of their actions. Therefore, the community must play a major role in creating peaceful elections, so that there are no riots that lead to brawls and can result in casualties.
In order to make the 2024 election successful, the commitment of various parties is needed because the KPU cannot work alone. It needs support from the community, ministries and security forces so that the elections run smoothly and peacefully. If the election goes smoothly, it will be profitable because there are no fraudulent dramas or even heartbreaking tragedies that accompany the 2024 election procession.
Society will maintain peace and unity during elections. You do this by taking care of yourself, both in the real world and in cyberspace, and not making suspicious statuses or attacking other parties. Don’t let social media become hot during and after the election because of excessive fanaticism for a particular presidential candidate or legislative candidate.
Excessive fanaticism gives rise to blind love and this is neither good nor healthy for the psychological condition of the people, both supporters of the presidential candidate and those who are not. It’s okay to have love, but don’t go so far as to accuse other presidential candidates of doing bad things or picking up on their mistakes. Communities need to be reminded to maintain peace, not to inflame hostility.
Elections are an important momentum to maintain national unity. Harmony and unity must be maintained even though elections are still being held next year. During the campaign period, the community continues to be encouraged to maintain peace, instead of insulting each other on social media.
)* The author is a contributor to the Siber Nusa Institute
