Jakarta – The government, along with election organizers, emphasized the importance of maintaining a peaceful democratic climate following the revote (PSU) in several regions. The long experience of Mahakam Ulu Regency illustrates the critical importance of public participation to ensure an honest, fair, and transparent democratic process.
Mahakam Ulu Election Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) Chairman Saaludin stated that the experience of the revote (PSU) and the General Election Results Dispute (PHPU) in Mahulu should serve as a shared lesson.
“In the last election, we experienced the longest process. Three Mahakam Ulu teams had to undergo a revote (PSU), and even two PHPUs,” he said at the Mahulu Regent’s Office.
According to him, although the number of people on the Permanent Voter List (DPT) in Mahakam Ulu is relatively small, around 27,000, the dynamics of election administration in the border region remain complex. Saaludin emphasized that the revote should be the last.
“Thank God, we made it through safely. Even the First Assistant kept reminding us, ‘This is enough, this is the first and last PSU.’ And indeed, yesterday’s PSU was the last,” he explained.
He added that although the PSU to PHPU process was tiring, the experience provided a lesson in itself because Mahakam Ulu received direct attention from national leaders.
“During the re-election, the head of the central election organizing committee came here in person. The Indonesian General Elections Commission (KPU) was also present, and that was a valuable experience for Mahakam Ulu,” he said.
Furthermore, Saaludin emphasized that the democratic dynamics in Mahakam Ulu are not merely a test, but also a national lesson that can serve as a reference for other regions. “The issues debated in the Constitutional Court were indeed difficult, but there are lessons to be learned. We can learn from this experience, and other regions can even use it as a reference,” he added.
The government believes that active public participation in overseeing the election process is key to maintaining a peaceful democracy after the revote. Full support for the Elections Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) and the General Elections Commission (KPU) is expected to continue to strengthen so that the next election runs smoothly without repeating similar experiences.
With a shared commitment from all elements of the nation, Indonesian democracy is believed to be able to mature and strengthen. The call to oversee the peaceful progress of democracy after the re-election is an important message, encouraging the public to become not only voters but also guardians of the quality of the democratic process.
