*) By: Arif Irawan
Ahead of the 2024 Pilkada, people in various regions in Indonesia are again faced with a major challenge in responding to circulating information. One issue that should be watched out for is the spread of hoaxes and provocations that encourage people to abstain, or not use their right to vote. This phenomenon has become a serious threat in various previous elections, and can affect the quality of Indonesian democracy if not handled properly. The government and election organizers continue to strive to educate the public so that they are able to sort out correct information and avoid the negative impacts of fake news.
Hoaxes and provocations related to abstaining from voting often target certain groups in society, especially those who have less access to accurate information. False information is usually spread quickly through social media, using language that provokes emotions and often exploits sensitive issues. One form of hoax that often appears is the claim that the election will not bring change or that all candidates have bad records, so there is no point in voting. Provocations like this aim to reduce public participation in the Pilkada.
The spread of hoaxes ahead of the 2024 Pilkada is a challenge for election organizers and law enforcement officers. Based on experience in previous elections, widespread hoaxes can create public distrust in the democratic process. If the public is influenced by hoaxes and provocations to abstain from voting, then the number of voter participation will decrease, which in the end can reduce the legitimacy of the elected leader. Therefore, it is important for the public to be more critical in receiving information and verifying every news received before spreading it.
Head of Kesbangpol Kaltim, Sufian Agus, said that the public should not abstain from voting and be aware of fake news or hoaxes that are increasingly widespread on social media. Citizens’ voting rights are very important for the future of the region, and they are urged to come to the TPS on November 27 to exercise their voting rights. In addition, the public is also asked to be careful of news that is not yet clear, which can harm and divide society ahead of the Pilkada. His party hopes that the level of public participation in the 2024 Pilkada will be higher than the election that took place last February. He reminded that the government has set sanctions for perpetrators of making and spreading hoaxes through Law Number 19 of 2016 concerning amendments to Law Number 11 of 2008 concerning Information and Electronic Transactions (ITE). “The regulation has regulated the action, and the perpetrators can be threatened with imprisonment.
The government through the Ministry of Communication and Information and various related institutions has launched a campaign against hoaxes ahead of the 2024 Pilkada. This campaign involves various parties, including mass media, social media influencers, and community leaders. In addition, digital literacy is one of the main focuses in efforts to increase public awareness about the importance of fighting hoaxes. With the increasing use of the internet and social media, the public is expected to be smarter in sorting out which information is true and which is false, especially related to election issues and voting rights.
Deputy Chairperson of the Indonesian Cyber Media Association (AMSI), Upi Asmaradhana said that the role of the media is not limited to delivering news, but also maintaining the truth amidst a flood of uncertain information, especially from social media. With the increasing number of hoaxes and provocations, especially ahead of the 2024 Pilkada, the media is required to be more proactive in providing accurate and credible information. He also emphasized that the public must be protected from the influence of fake news that can confuse and damage trust in the democratic process. The importance of the media’s role in countering hoaxes is becoming increasingly crucial as various social platforms are increasingly used to spread false information.
Mass media that already have a good reputation and follow journalistic codes of ethics, such as television, radio, and trusted news sites, can be the main reference. Avoiding sources of unclear origin or social media accounts that often spread invalid news is also a preventive measure. In addition, the public must also play an active role in reporting hoaxes they encounter to the authorities so that they can be followed up immediately.
Golput, although a citizen’s right, can be a threat to democracy if it is done due to the influence of misinformation. Active participation in elections is one of the important indicators of the quality of democracy in a country. By voting, people have the opportunity to determine leaders who are able to manage their regions well. Therefore, it is important for people not to get caught up in the provocation of golput and to continue to vote by considering the track record and work programs of the candidates.
As the voting day approaches, the public is urged to remain vigilant of circulating information and be more selective in absorbing news related to the regional elections. Not only to maintain the quality of democracy, but also to ensure that the elected leaders are those who truly have the trust of the people. Efforts to combat hoaxes and provocations to abstain from voting are not only the responsibility of the government and election institutions, but also of every individual who cares about the future of the nation.
In the 2024 Pilkada, every citizen’s voice is very important. Facing the challenges of hoaxes and provocations to abstain from voting, the public is expected to be wiser in their attitudes and maintain the spirit of participation for a better future.
*) The author is a political observer
