The community has a strategic position in every democratic process, including regional elections. The community is not only a voter who determines who will lead, but also a supervisor and driver in maintaining the integrity of the election process. Awareness of this role must be built from an early age, through good political education and the dissemination of accurate information regarding the importance of participation in regional elections.
Apart from that, the community must also be active in maintaining environmental security during the regional elections. In this context, good communication between the community and security forces is the main key to creating a conducive atmosphere. Order during regional elections is also greatly influenced by community behavior. Therefore, good political education must continue to be promoted. People need to understand that differences in political choices are normal and should not be a trigger for conflict.
Community maturity in responding to various Pilkada issues is part of the democratic process, so that all behavior in responding to the process at all stages of the Pilkada must be based on common interests, not in the name of group interests. By placing the public interest above all else, it will certainly provide positive energy in supporting the creation of a safe and conducive situation.
Apart from aspects of security and order, the role of the community in ensuring honest and fair Pilkada is also no less important. One way to make this happen is by being actively involved in the election monitoring process. The public can join independent monitoring institutions that have high credibility. That way, the public can participate in overseeing every stage of the Pilkada, starting from candidate registration, campaigning, to vote counting.
Ahead of the 2024 simultaneous regional elections, the Donggala Police held a cross-sectoral coordination meeting (Rakor) for the 2024 Mantap Praja Tinombala Operation. This meeting aims to discuss security for the 2024 simultaneous regional elections which will be held in November. Apart from that, it also ensures the readiness of all relevant parties and strengthens security strategies for the smooth running of the democratic process. Donggala Police Chief, Efos Satria Wisnuwardhana, SIK, MIK, said that the cross-sectoral coordination meeting was intended to coordinate with each other regarding the readiness of each element related to the implementation of the 2024 Pilkada so that it could run safely. Readiness in anticipating potential security disturbances in the implementation of the regional elections, Donggala security forces have involved 477 personnel who will secure the implementation of the regional elections. Apart from preparing personnel, various preventive strategies and comprehensive security measures were also carried out to create a conducive situation ahead of the 2024 regional elections.
Apart from that, the public also needs to be encouraged to take part in various discussion forums and public debates held during the campaign period. This involvement is important to ensure that each regional leader candidate truly understands the aspirations and needs of the community. Forums like this also become a means for the public to convey criticism and suggestions directly to candidates, so that two-way communication can be established, resulting in constructive thoughts regarding Pilkada issues.
In creating a conducive situation, a number of regions are also doing the same thing, as is being done in Papua. The Central Papua Provincial Government together with the Ministry of Home Affairs and the KPU held a coordination meeting regarding the Declaration of Safe and Peaceful Regional Elections in 2024 in the hall of the Central Papua Governor’s office. In his statement, the Acting Governor of Central Papua, Dr. Ribka Haluk S.Sos., MM said, this coordination meeting was held so that the simultaneous regional elections in 2024 would run smoothly, safely and democratically.
Rebekah Haluk emphasized to all parties to continue to fully support and ensure all facilities and infrastructure as well as readiness to carry out the 2024 simultaneous regional elections in Central Papua. He also told all parties, including security forces, to increase vigilance and take preventive steps to prevent potential conflicts and riots.
Rebekah Haluk emphasized that all regional heads should allocate budgets. He hopes that the regents in Central Papua will ensure that the budget needed for holding the regional elections is distributed on time and according to its intended purpose. Finally, Acting Governor Ribka Haluk said that the community should play an active role in monitoring the running of the regional elections.
Meanwhile, the Pasuruan Regency Government, East Java, to make the 2024 Regional Head Election (Pilkada) conducive, safe and peaceful, held a hybrid cross-sectoral coordination meeting (Rakor). Followed by all Village Heads and Forkopimcam of Pasuruan Regency, Acting. Regent Andriyanto led the coordination meeting. In his direction, Acting. Regent Andriyanto invited and reminded all elements of regional election security to always focus, especially on the final results of the regional elections.
After all stakeholders have moved to realize safe and orderly regional elections, this is a crucial role attached to them. However, no less important is the role of community leaders and informal leaders in creating safe and orderly regional elections. These figures often have great influence in their communities and can be effective mediators in reducing potential conflicts. With a wise and communicative approach, community leaders can help direct their citizens to remain calm and respect the ongoing democratic process.
Collaboration between various parties, including the government, security forces, election organizers, the media and the wider community, is very necessary to realize safe and orderly regional elections. All parties have their respective roles and responsibilities which complement each other. The government and election organizers must ensure that each stage of the election runs in accordance with the established rules, while security forces are tasked with keeping the situation conducive.
Overall, realizing safe and orderly regional elections requires commitment and active participation from all elements of society. From independent monitoring, involvement in maintaining security, ongoing political education, to participation in voting and discussion forums, these are all important contributions that society can make. In this way, the Pilkada can become a democratic party that truly reflects the will of the people and has a positive impact on regional progress.
