By: Mayang Dwi Andaru)*
The 2024 Simultaneous Regional Elections will be the largest regional political contest in Indonesian history. The community, government, and all stakeholders are trying to prevent polarization that could potentially harm this democratic party.
As happened in the 2019 Election, the polarization that caused division in society is still felt today. Therefore, maintaining unity and harmony amidst diversity is the main priority in the implementation of this Pilkada.
National Police Chief General Pol. Listyo Sigit Prabowo firmly stated that societal polarization should no longer occur in the 2024 Pilkada. The polarization that occurred in the 2019 Election has caused negative impacts on the diversity and progress of the nation.
According to the Chief of Police, if something similar happens again in the 2024 Simultaneous Regional Elections, the social conflict that arises will be a major setback for Indonesia. This assertion shows how important the role of security forces is in ensuring that the Regional Head Elections run without division.
In addition, President Joko Widodo emphasized that the National Police have a big responsibility in guarding the national agenda. The regional level democratic party held simultaneously in all provinces, districts, and cities requires maximum security.
Security forces must be able to anticipate potential conflicts that may arise, especially from irresponsible groups trying to trigger polarization. Full support from the Police is expected to create a safe and conducive situation for the community in choosing their regional leaders.
Past experience shows that without tight security, local political contests can become a field for individuals who intend to divide society. President Joko Widodo views the role of security forces in maintaining security as an important step to ensure that regional political contests run smoothly. With strong security, the 2024 Simultaneous Regional Elections are expected to not only be a democratic celebration, but also a reflection of the nation’s maturity in democracy.
On the other hand, the Minister of Communication and Information, Budi Arie Setiadi, invited all elements of society to realize peaceful and dignified regional elections through a healthy digital space.
According to Minister Budi Arie, the increase in internet penetration in Indonesia, which has reached 78 percent of the population, presents a unique challenge for the implementation of the 2024 Simultaneous Regional Elections.
With around 150 million internet users aged 18 and over, digital platforms have the potential to become a tool for disseminating information that can influence public opinion, both positively and negatively.
In facing these challenges, the Ministry of Communication and Information (Kominfo) has implemented several main strategies to ensure that the digital space remains healthy during the local political contestation event that occurs every 5 years.
One of the strategic steps taken is to strengthen the moderation of negative content, especially that which has the potential to trigger polarization in society. The Ministry of Communication and Information is working with digital platforms to monitor the spread of content that can cause hatred or division.
Furthermore, the 2024 Peaceful Pilkada agenda is also supported by a digital literacy campaign involving various stakeholders, including election organizers and supervisors. This step was taken to increase public awareness of the importance of maintaining unity in the digital space.
The Ministry of Communication and Information continues to encourage the public to be wiser in using social media and digital platforms as a means of obtaining valid information related to the 2024 Simultaneous Regional Election process.
Close cooperation between various ministries, institutions, and related parties is key to ensuring that the 2024 Simultaneous Regional Elections are free from polarization. The democratic celebration is expected to be a momentum for the Indonesian people to become more mature in democracy.
The Ministry of Communication and Information also plays an active role in orchestrating public communication to create positive narratives on social media and other digital platforms. This is important so that opinions that develop in society remain healthy and support the creation of a Peaceful Pilkada.
With all the efforts made by various parties, President Joko Widodo has high hopes for the implementation of the 2024 Simultaneous Regional Elections to be safe and controlled. The involvement of the National Police in maintaining security and the role of the Ministry of Communication and Information in maintaining a healthy digital space are part of the government’s strategy to anticipate various potential disruptions that may occur.
Every element of society also has an important role in supporting the smooth running of the local political contest, by maintaining unity and avoiding provocation from irresponsible groups.
The 2024 regional elections are an opportunity for the people to elect leaders who will bring change at the regional level. However, the challenge of potential polarization remains, especially in the rapidly developing digital era.
The government, through various related institutions, has taken various concrete steps to ensure that the election runs smoothly and maintains unity within society.
By maintaining security, stability of digital space, and involving all elements of society, the 2024 Simultaneous Regional Elections are expected to be a reflection of increasingly mature and quality democracy. In this context, it is important to continue to work together to avoid polarization and ensure that the 2024 Regional Elections run peacefully, with the active participation of the entire community.
)* The author is a contributor to the Sadawira Utama Institute
