By : Princess Dewi Nathania )*
Indonesia will hold a democratic party, namely the General Election or General Election in 2024. A series of election processes are currently underway so it is hoped that all elements of society can prevent divisions and work together to create safe, peaceful and dignified elections.
Concerns about the potential for polarization and division of the people in the 2024 elections have been highlighted by the Chairman of the Indonesian People’s Consultative Assembly and Deputy General Chair of the Golkar Party, Bambang Soesatyo. The Kompas R&D survey conducted on 19-21 June 2023 noted that around 56 percent of respondents were worried about polarization and division. A Kompas poll at the end of May 2022 also reflected the concern of around 70 percent of respondents regarding the potential return of “tadpole” and “campret” polarization as occurred in the 2019 elections.
Bamsoet emphasized the need for concrete steps to anticipate these concerns so that they do not become a reality. In the 2023 National Gathering of the Nation’s Children, he highlighted the important role of all elements of the nation in maintaining national conduciveness. With the 2024 elections just 83 days away, he encouraged active participation from all parties to maintain the integrity and peaceful implementation of the elections.
One of the crucial points highlighted by Bamsoet is the neutrality of the TNI-Polri and ASN. He considers this neutrality to be the main basis for maintaining the integrity of elections. In this context, it is hoped that the role of the TNI-Polri and ASN will not be influenced by certain political interests, so that the elections can take place fairly and transparently. Bamsoet also highlighted the level of election violations that need to be minimized. As former Chair of Commission III of the DPR RI in the field of Law, Human Rights and Security, he emphasized that in the 2014 and 2019 elections, there was an increase in the number of violations.
In the 2014 election, the number of violations reached 10,754 cases, increasing to 15,052 cases in the 2019 election, most of which were administrative problems. Violations in criminal election cases also increased to 348 cases in the 2019 election, showing the complexity of the challenges faced in maintaining election integrity. The increase in the number of violations in the election context can be interpreted from two different perspectives. First, perhaps because supervision from BAWASLU is getting tighter, so more cases of violations are being uncovered. Second, there may still be a view that election violations are considered normal, and the sanctions given have not been able to create an adequate deterrent effect.
The hope for the future is that in the 2024 elections, both administrative and criminal violations can be minimized to ensure the integrity and trust of the public in the democratic process.
From the perspective of holding elections, Bamsoet highlighted the importance of the information aspect. Every citizen, according to him, has the right to have broad access to information and not be co-opted by certain political interests. Elections as an implementation of democracy must also be held without harming the values of democracy itself.
Referring to The Economist Intelligent Unit’s report which indicated the stagnation of Indonesia’s democracy index at a score of 6.71, Bamsoet highlighted the importance of increasing political literacy and voter rationality. With 204,807,222 registered voters, of which 56 percent are young people, the 2024 election will be greatly influenced by the rationality and political maturity of young voters. Therefore, efforts need to be made to increase political understanding and awareness among the younger generation and first-time voters.
The importance of community involvement is not only emphasized by the government and national stakeholders, but also involves elements of Bhabinkamtibmas in various regions. For example, the Buru Island Police, Maluku Regional Police have contacted inmates to provide relevant advice ahead of the 2024 elections.
Through this sambang activity, Bhabinkamtibmas seeks to convey the Kamtibmas message to residents so that they are not easily provoked by hoax news. On this occasion, Bhabinkamtibmas also emphasized that the public should support the performance of the National Police in maintaining Kamtibmas ahead of the 2024 election and reject all hoax news and hate speech related to SARA which could divide the brotherhood.
In supporting security efforts ahead of the elections, Buru Island Police Chief, AKBP Nur Rahman, conveyed a message for residents to maintain harmony and unity between residents. With differences in views and political choices that may arise among citizens, it is important not to let these differences become a source of division.
In the context of mutual cooperation in facing the 2024 elections, cooperation between the government, security forces and the community is key. This mutual cooperation is not only the responsibility of the government, but involves all levels of society to work together to realize fair and peaceful elections. The success of the 2024 elections does not only depend on good implementation, but also on public awareness and active participation in maintaining the peace and integrity of the elections.
Remembering the importance of mutual cooperation in realizing peaceful and dignified elections, we as Indonesian people need to unite. The active role of every citizen, from state leaders to ordinary people, has a major contribution in creating a conducive and fair election environment. Mutual cooperation is not just a rhetorical theme, but a real action that must continue to be revived and preserved.
Let’s work together to build rational political understanding, increase political literacy, and prioritize unity. With the spirit of mutual cooperation, we can realize peaceful and dignified elections, provide opportunities for positive change, and strengthen the foundations of Indonesian democracy in a better direction. Mutual cooperation is not just a slogan, but a real foundation for the nation’s progress and peace.
)* The author is a contributor to the Perkasa Media Institute
