In order to maximize the participation of public oversight in regent and deputy regent election, PANDEKHA Faculty of Law of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) in collaboration with the Election Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) of Sleman and the Caksana Institute held a legal briefing on "Socialization of Participatory Supervision with the Community: The Role of the Community in Supervising the 2024 Regent and Deputy Regent Elections." The event was held at the Crystal Lotus Hotel and attended by representatives of anti-money politics villages (APU Villages), community leaders, and several related agencies in Sleman on Tuesday (August 20, 2024).
This collaborative legal counseling is expected to become one of the efforts to strengthen the inclusive and peaceful citizen for a sustainable development, and to build an accountable and effective local democracy organization. This is aligned with the 16th goal of SDGs in promoting peace, justice, and strong institutions.
In the opening, the member of Bawaslu Sleman Regency and the Coordinator of the Prevention, Public Participation, and Public Relation Division, Raden Yuwan Sikra, S.H., emphasized the importance of the public participation in maintaining the general election integrity. He highlighted the participative oversight is not only observation, but also an active participation to prevent money politic practices that potentially harming the democracy.
The member of Bawaslu Sleman Regency and the Coordinator of the Prevention, Public Participation, and Public Relation Division, Umi Illiyina, S.H., M.H. also explained that the participative oversight from the public is necessary, especially because DIY is one of the region with the high level of election vulnerability nationwide. He also emphasized the importance of avoiding money politics, which often occurs during the campaign period and vote counting.
During the presentation, Dr. Yance Arizona, S.H., M.H., M.A., the Chairperson of the Center for Democracy, Constitution, and Human Rights Studies (PANDEKHA) Faculty of Law UGM explained the danger of money’s politics towards democracy. He explained that money politics has become an awful phenomenon that harms Indonesian democracy, both at local and national levels. “Money politics is not only damaging the voter’s integrity, but also decreasing the public’s trust towards the institution. The elected candidate through money politic tend to be unqualified and potentially involved in corruption crime,” Yance emphasized.
Yance also highlighted that money politics can be in many forms, from cash handouts until political promises such as hajj and umrah. Regulation related to money politics itself has been regulated in Law on Regional Elections, where those who accepts money politics can be criminally prosecuted. However, Yance emphasized that the law enforcement towards money politics eradication should also be supported with the intensive public education.
During the Q & A session, participants from several villages conveyed their worries regarding the money politics practices that are difficult to be eradicated. Hartono, the representative for Sleman District Panwaslu (Election Supervisory Committee), asked about the sanctions imposed on those involved in vote-buying and how the public can be involved in monitoring it. In response, Yance explained that sanctions against vote-buying can be applied at every stage of the election, from the nomination process to the vote count.
Meanwhile, the representatives of Gamping District Panwascam (Gamping Subdistrict Election Supervisory Committee), Daryono, explained about the challenges faced by the public that are trying to fight money politics, especially with the negative stigma that sticks to them. Responded to that phenomenon, Yance recommended for the local figures, such as head village, religious figure, and the state apparatus, to get involved in the money politics eradication campaign.
“Negative narration regarding money politics need to be pushed, therefore, the people that involved in this practices will think they do a wrong action,” he added.
The event was closed with a follow-up action plan to strengthen the role of APU Villages in the Sleman region, including the legalization of APU Villages through relevant village regulations and community outreach jointly conducted by PANDEKHA, Bawaslu Sleman, and the Caksana Institute ahead of the election. It is hoped that with the establishment of more APU Villages, oversight of the 2024 Sleman Regent and Vice Regent Election can be carried out more effectively and democratically.
Author : Muhammad Rifai Yusuf (PANDEKHA)
Editor: Public Relations
