The simultaneous elections in 171 regions were conducted relatively safely and smoothly, excepting certain regions in Papua. The people have matured. Voters, election organizers, the authorities and the survey institutions must all be highly appreciated.
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The simultaneous elections in 171 regions were conducted relatively safely and smoothly, excepting certain regions in Papua. The people have matured.
Voters, election organizers, the authorities and the survey institutions – which performed quick counts in several regions – must all be highly appreciated. The institutions announced their quick count results, which may at least satisfy people’s curiosity regarding the likely winners of certain regional elections.
Voter turnout was around 60-70 percent. No one should either ascend to the heights of euphoria or the depths of disappointment. Every contest has winners and losers. The true victory belongs to the people. Law No. 10/2016 on the regional elections stipulates that no second round of voting is to be held. Whoever wins the majority votes in a single round wins the election. Only the Jakarta gubernatorial election requires a candidate to gain 50 percent plus one vote to be declared the victor.
Even though many survey institutions have announced their quick count results, voters should still wait for the official results from the General Elections Commission (KPU). The KPU will announce the official election results two weeks from election day. Dissatisfied voters may then file any disputes at the Constitutional Court (MK).
The people must closely monitor the KPU’s official tabulation of the votes, especially in regions that saw tight races.
The candidates that the survey institutions have tipped as possible winners the election must prepare to embrace their rivals and the people. Political inroads and communication are necessary to reunite the people following a divisive campaign. There are no more supporters of candidate A or candidate B; all constituents have equal rights to being served and protected by their elected leaders.
This was not the first simultaneous regional elections that Indonesia held. We also held simultaneous regional elections in 2015 and 2017. History has shown that all three simultaneous regional elections proceeded smoothly and safely. This shows that our democracy at the grassroots is maturing. The three simultaneous regional elections can serve as social capital so our grassroots democracy will be more mature in the April 2019 general election, when the people will vote for their president and representatives in the legislature.
We need to remind those who will eventually be inaugurated as their region’s leadership about where their power comes from: The people, through the political parties, have granted them their power. A power that comes from the people must be used to benefit all (bonum commune).
Power may repel (tremendum) and also attract (fascinosum). If it is not used properly, power can intoxicate and lead to its abuse. Those candidates that climb to the seat of power must understand that power corrupts. Do not betray the people who have granted you power.