UNS – The Democracy and National Resilience Study Center (Pusdemtanas), Institute for Research and Community Engagement (LPPM), Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta highlights the vulnerable points in the 2020 Simultaneous Local Election during an Interactive Discussion in Democracy (Distraksi), Wednesday, (22/7/2020).
Bringing up the topic on “Welcoming the 2020 Simultaneous Local Election, an Effort To Implement High-Quality Local Democracy and Integrity”, Pusdemtanas LPPM UNS invites several speakers, they are Dr. Muhammad Taufiq, Advocates in MT&P Law Firm, Dr. Sugeng Riyanta, a Junior Inspector in General Crime and Civil Code and State Administration Section (Inspectorate IV Jamwas), and Anik Solihatun as the Coordinator of Central Java Bawaslu Supervision Division.
The event was opened by the Chair of Pusdemtanan LPPM UNS, Dr. Sunny Ummul Firdaus. In front of the participant, Dr. Sunny mentions that the 2020 Local Election will face huge challenges, among others, the condition with Covid-19 pandemic, doubts on the integrity of law enforcement, to the issue of the matter of political dynasties.
The first speaker, Dr. Muhammad Taufiq, mentions that the simultaneous local election is a form synchronization of governance as a form of cost and time efficiency. However, he still finds excessive workloads on regional election organizers. In this matter, Dr. Taufiq compares the simultaneous election in Indonesia and Brazil. In Brazil, the election is divided into two sections, namely national election and municipal election. “Within the national election, there are federal election and state election. The national election is held to select president, vice president, senator, governor, vice governor, and Federal representative. While the local election is held to elect the mayor, deputy mayor, and city council,” he explains.
Compared to Indonesia, Dr. Taufiq consider that Brazil has a better election system. Where the government imposes a strict policy for those who are abstaining from the election and the advance tracing of their voters, thus voters only need to show their identity card to the election committee. Contrasting to this, in Indonesia ID Card is often used to gain mass support, especially for prospective regional heads who advance through individual channels. Moreover, Dr. Taufiq also highlights the system that is prone to money politics and the use of state facilities by incumbents candidates. Related to this, Dr. Taufiq warns people, especially amid the pandemic, to not be tempted by the help of money/goods provided by prospective regional heads under the pretext of social assistance.
Responding to the issue of the misuse of State Assets by incumbent candidates, Dr. Sugeng Riyanta states that the Attorney General’s Office has a role to play in implementing Local elections with integrity and quality.
According to Article 30 of Regulation Number 16 the Year 2004, the Prosecutors’ Office has the role to conduct investigations into certain criminal acts based on the law, can act in the field of civil and state administration, both inside and outside the court, for and on behalf of the state or government, and to maintain public order and peace. In terms of investigating reports of alleged corruption by incumbents in the Simultaneous Local Election, the Prosecutors will only process the report when the elections are over. This to avoid the use of the Prosecutor’s Office by certain parties to beat/drop one of the contesting candidates. Humas UNS
Reporter: Yefta Christopherus AS
Editor: Dwi Hastuti
