Beware of Provocations to Incite Public Opinion on Election Results, PSU Has Followed the Rules
By: Yudi Kurniawan
The democratic celebration in Indonesia has entered a critical phase as several regions conduct Pemungutan Suara Ulang (PSU) (Re-voting). However, instead of upholding political maturity, some irresponsible parties have chosen to take a provocative path, attempting to sway public opinion by suggesting that the PSU process is riddled with fraud.
This kind of attitude needs to be addressed with a high level of caution, particularly to ensure that the public is not easily swayed by unfounded narratives.
National stability post-PSU has become a major concern, attracting the attention of many. Rifyan Ridwan Saleh, the Head of the Law, Defense, and Security Department of PB HMI, emphasized the importance of all elements of society avoiding excessive emotional reactions or unrestrained euphoria.
Those who lost in the PSU should not vent their disappointments emotionally, while the victorious side must exercise restraint in their celebrations to prevent hurting the feelings of their political opponents.
Rifyan stressed that national security will only be successfully maintained if it is accompanied by respect for the entire legal process and the values of brotherhood that are the foundation of the nation.
He also underlined that the re-election in nine polling stations on Taliabu Island, North Maluku, was conducted in accordance with the regulations. The entire process was closely monitored, from the sub-district level to the district-level plenary. No violations or data manipulation were found, and there was no reason to question the legitimacy of the results.
Rifyan also stated that the entire legal process of PSU is open to anyone who wishes to challenge it, but it should be done constitutionally and professionally, not by stirring up public emotions.
A firm stance was also shown by the General Elections Commission (KPU). KPU Chairman Mochammad Afifuddin emphasized that the PSU in 24 regions was conducted with strict supervision.
Learning from past elections, the KPU stressed that it would leave no room for repeating violations previously proven in the 2024 Pilkada election dispute. Internal oversight has been tightened, and KPU staff nationwide are directed to consistently uphold regulations so that PSU runs in line with the mandate of the Constitutional Court (MK).
Afifuddin stated that all supervisory processes were carried out with utmost seriousness. The KPU has been actively ensuring smooth coordination at every level. Through a preventive approach, potential violations were successfully prevented.
The KPU’s actions are not only aimed at ensuring the integrity of the PSU but also at preserving the public’s trust in the election commission. Their professionalism shows a strong commitment to maintaining the quality of democracy in Indonesia.
At the local level, the KPU of Buru District demonstrated similar firmness. Walid Aziz, the Chairman of KPU Buru, explained that in the PSU at TPS 2, Debowae Village, some voters were not allowed to cast their votes due to a lack of valid identification documents.
This rejection was not discrimination, but rather adherence to established regulations. Voter data validity was prioritized to avoid vote misuse and to ensure that the PSU results truly reflect the people’s will.
Walid explained that some voters had duplicate names or had already voted in other polling stations during the previous election. In such cases, the KPU did not tolerate these discrepancies, even when under pressure from various parties.
A strict verification process was applied, with assistance from Bawaslu, the TNI, and the Police, to ensure the legitimacy of the votes. If any party wishes to challenge this decision in the Constitutional Court, the KPU of Buru is ready to justify the policies it has implemented in accordance with the law.
Provocative narratives following the elections are not new in democracies. However, when misleading claims are packaged with accusations of fraud without concrete evidence, the threat to social stability becomes real.
Therefore, it is important for society to increase its vigilance. Not all information should be trusted, especially when it comes from uncredible sources with political interests.
Inciting public opinion to reject PSU results without legal grounds not only damages the democratic process but also threatens national unity. Allowing provocations to grow plants the seeds of disintegration. In moments like these, strengthening political literacy and respecting legal processes become the key to resisting chaos.
All processes of PSU have been carried out according to the rules and closely monitored. The public must trust the mechanisms that have been laid out within the democratic system. If there is dissatisfaction, legal avenues are available. Taking a provocative path is not a solution but a step backward that jeopardizes all parties involved.
This nation has paid a heavy price for democracy through its long history of struggle and sacrifice. Let us not allow a handful of political interests to tarnish the legitimacy of the election results. The integrity of the nation is more important than any short-term political ambitions.
The author is a contributor to the Pertiwi Institute.
