Beware of Provocations Calling for Abstentions Ahead of the Regional Elections for the Future of the Region
By: Chandra Budi Setyo)*
The Regional Head Election (Pilkada) which will be held on November 27 2024 is a crucial moment for the journey of democracy in Indonesia. Every citizen who has the right to vote is expected to actively participate, to ensure that leaders are elected who truly represent the aspirations of the community. Unfortunately, calls to abstain or not exercise the right to vote are still a challenge that needs to be watched out for.
Citizens’ active participation in regional elections is not only a right, but also an obligation in an effort to maintain the sustainability of democracy. Every vote cast in the regional elections determines the future of the region for the next five years. Without maximum participation, there is a risk of electing leaders who do not meet community expectations, which in the end can hamper regional progress and development.
In Jayapura City, Papua, the National and Political Unity Agency (Kesbangpol) has appealed to all residents not to abstain from voting. The Head of Jayapura City Kesbangpol, Raymondus Mote, emphasized the importance of citizen participation in the Pilkada through various outreach efforts. This socialization involves various community associations and organizations, with the hope that information related to the Pilkada can be conveyed widely down to the family level. In this way, voter participation is expected to increase, and abstentions can be minimized.
Regional governments, through various related agencies such as the General Election Commission (KPU) and the General Election Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu), have an important role in ensuring the smooth running of the Pilkada process. The experience of the previous general election, where there were delays in logistics and recapitulation of the vote count, is a valuable lesson not to be repeated again. Good coordination between all parties, including security forces, is the key to realizing safe and peaceful regional elections.
In Sidoarjo, the local KPU has held a Media Gathering event to increase the role of the media in organizing the 2024 Simultaneous Pilkada. This event is expected to strengthen the synergy between the KPU and the media in making the Pilkada a success. Through accurate and trustworthy reporting, the media has a strategic role in educating the public about the importance of exercising their right to vote.
Even though outreach efforts have been carried out, the challenge of preventing calls for abstention remains. Provocations for abstention often arise from various parties who are dissatisfied with existing candidates or who have a certain agenda. This kind of provocation needs to be watched out for because it can damage the democratic process and reduce the legitimacy of elected leaders.
In Paser Regency, for example, the local KPU held a Healthy Walk as a form of socialization for the implementation of the Pilkada. This activity is not only aimed at health, but also to invite the community to actively participate in the Pilkada. The chairman of the Paser Regency KPU, Ahyar Rosidi, emphasized that citizen participation is very important to determine the future of the region.
Facing the 2024 Simultaneous Regional Elections, all elements of society and government must play an active role in overseeing every stage of the election process. The Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia, KH Ma’ruf Amin, reminded the importance of collaboration between all parties to make the regional elections a success in their respective regions. This includes cooperation with security forces and the civil service who will oversee the election process.
To create safe and peaceful regional elections, strong commitment and hard work from all parties is needed. Pilkada organizers, from the KPU to Bawaslu, are required to work professionally and with integrity. They must be able to carry out their duties well, including in terms of socialization and coordination with various components of society.
In Belitung Regency, the local KPU is actively carrying out the matching and research (coklit) stages of voter data. Chairman of the Belitung Regency KPU, Amir Husin, invited the entire community to be actively involved in the entire regional election process. According to him, full support from the community is very important to realize successful regional elections and produce quality leaders.
The 2024 Simultaneous Pilkada is an important milestone in strengthening democracy in Indonesia. Therefore, every citizen must be aware of the importance of participation in regional elections and not be influenced by calls for abstention or other provocative narratives . The voice of every citizen is very valuable in determining the direction of future regional development. By using our voting rights wisely, we can ensure that trustworthy and qualified leaders are elected.
The public also needs to be wary of the emergence of provocative narratives about “Puppet Governor Candidates” because they can damage a healthy democratic process. This kind of narrative aims to weaken public confidence in certain candidates, with the insinuation that they are only tools of hidden interests. The public needs to be smart in filtering information and not easily provoked by baseless accusations. Each candidate must be assessed based on their vision, mission and track record, not rumors. By being wary of provocative narratives, we can ensure that the regional elections take place fairly and democratically.
Let us work together to maintain the smooth running of the 2024 Simultaneous Regional Elections by actively participating and rejecting all forms of abstention provocation. The future of the region is in our hands, and our participation in the Pilkada is the key to realizing a better future.
*Political Observer at the Indomedia Gala Institute
