By: Ardiansyah Gunawan
The 2024 Regional Head Election (Pilkada) is an important momentum in the democratic process in Indonesia. The success of implementing a clean and transparent Pilkada does not only depend on the KPU or Bawaslu, but also requires cross-sector synergy, including the government, security forces, supervisory institutions, media, and the community. Without good cooperation, the risk of Pilkada violations, fraud, and the potential for social conflict is increasing.
Efforts to realize a healthy democratic party require synergy between various parties, starting from the Pilkada organizers, the community, to related institutions. This cross-sector coordination is very important in maintaining transparency and preventing violations that can damage public trust in democracy.
Eddy Wijaya, an observer of Clean Regional Elections, assessed that all elements of society have a significant role in overseeing the Regional Election process. According to him, although the General Election Commission (KPU) has the main responsibility in organizing the Regional Elections, their limited personnel make supervision from the community very important.
Public supervision is considered as one of the keys to maintaining honesty and neutrality in the Pilkada. In addition, all parties participating in the political contestation, especially the candidate pairs, are expected to maintain a conducive atmosphere by appealing to their supporters not to commit anarchistic acts.
The role of candidates in maintaining campaign ethics is also a concern. Eddy emphasized that each candidate pair should direct their supporters to campaign positively and not conduct black campaigns that denigrate political opponents.
According to him, the winning candidate pair must be accepted with a big heart by all parties so that the Pilkada atmosphere remains safe and peaceful. Synergy between the candidates, their supporters, and the wider community is very necessary to minimize conflicts that may arise due to provocation or manipulation of issues during the democratic party.
On the other hand, the role of youth in overseeing the Pilkada is also very significant. Gunawan Suswantoro, Secretary of the Minister of Youth and Sports (Sesmenpora) of the Republic of Indonesia, sees great potential from young voters who number 56% of the total 204 million voters.
The significant number places the young generation as a strategic group in maintaining the integrity of the Pilkada. According to Gunawan, the Ministry of Youth and Sports has initiated various programs to encourage young people to actively participate in monitoring the Pilkada process, including the trial of legal issues that may arise during the Pilkada process.
Cross-sector synergy in monitoring and ensuring transparency of regional elections not only involves the community and government, but also independent institutions such as the Information Commission (KI).
Donny Yoesgiantoro, Chairman of the Central Information Commission, explained that openness of information by election organizers is one of the fundamental elements in creating transparent and accountable elections.
The transparency of information involves various parties, starting from the KPU, the Regional Election Supervisory Body (Bawaslu), to the Regional Election Organizer Honorary Council (DKPP), as well as political parties and the public as voters.
According to Donny, the implementation of the principle of Public Information Transparency (KIP) in every stage of the Pilkada is the right of the people and is a means to optimize public supervision.
Transparency in every stage of the regional elections will increase public trust in the election process, while ensuring that regional election organizers carry out their duties honestly and responsibly.
With the openness of information, the public has access to control the course of the regional elections, reduce the potential for manipulation, and increase public participation in overseeing the democratic process.
Law Number 14 of 2008 concerning Public Information Disclosure (KIP) has emphasized that access to information is a basic need for everyone. In the context of the Pilkada, this becomes increasingly relevant, considering that accurate and open information is the basis for the public to make the right political decisions.
Donny emphasized that the implementation of KIP based on the principles of speed, simplicity, timeliness, and low cost can provide guaranteed access to information for the public, as well as increase the accountability of Pilkada organizers.
In addition, the implementation of KIP is also considered as one way to prevent conflict during the 5-yearly event. With clear access to Pilkada information, the public can better understand each ongoing stage and assess the integrity of the process for themselves.
Donny said that openness of information, starting from the availability and accuracy of information to regulations in the information access process, is an important indicator in maintaining transparency in the regional elections.
The community, as part of the actors of democracy, must also play an active role in overseeing the election process. Community involvement in overseeing the Pilkada process is very important to prevent fraudulent practices, such as money politics or vote manipulation. Public awareness of their rights and obligations as voters will improve the quality of democracy in Indonesia. Synergy between the community, media, and supervisory institutions will be the last bastion in maintaining the honesty and transparency of the Pilkada.
The challenges that arise, such as the potential for manipulation and fraud, can be minimized through good cooperation between election organizers, the government, the community, and various related institutions.
With the various challenges faced, such as the potential for fraud, identity politics, and the spread of hoax news, cross-sector synergy is an absolute must. Every element of society and state institution must work together to create clean and transparent Pilkada conditions. This cross-sector cooperation is not only carried out during the election, but from the preparation stage to after the Pilkada.
The 2024 Pilkada is an important test for Indonesian democracy. Only with solid cooperation, maintained transparency, and active participation of all elements of society can a clean and honest Pilkada be realized. Cross-sector synergy is not only a hope, but also a necessity in maintaining the integrity of democracy in Indonesia.
*) Political Policy Analyst – Fajar Institute for Political Studies
