Post-April 17 Virtues

KOMPAS/RIZA FATHONI

A man and a woman take a selfie on Wednesday (4/17/2019) with the colorful entranceway to polling station (TPS) 44 in East Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta. Themed “Democracy Fiesta”, the TPS was decorated with rural and cultural elements to enliven the atmosphere and attract voters.

Something impressive happened on Wednesday (17/4/2019). From the early morning on, people in various parts of the country flocked to the polling stations (TPS).

They were enthusiastic about the chance to execute their right to vote. Much the same was seen several days earlier in a number of polling stations abroad. That is a sign of increasing political awareness among Indonesians. It is also a symbol that we are concerned citizens. Deciding who will lead the nation for the next five years is also about choosing representatives deemed fit to voice the people’s aspirations.

We are grateful that the general election ran smoothly. There were some problems in a number of polling stations, for example, a lack of ballots or mistakes followed by re-voting. However, none of them diminish the high appreciation of all parties that organized and secured the simultaneous elections in 2019. First, of course, this is the General Elections Commission (KPU), which succeeded in holding simultaneous elections that were among the most complicated in the world.

To hold the presidential and legislative elections, the KPU had to print ballots for each category and send the ballots, along with other materials, to all corners of the country. For an archipelagic country like Indonesia, this is no minor feat. We also express the same appreciation for the Elections Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu), which oversaw the implementation of the elections to ensure the honest and fair nature of this celebration of democracy.

And let us not forget to express our appreciation for the National Police and Indonesian Military (TNI), which have been responsible and professional in securing the elections. The TNI and police reminded us that political events do not take place in a vacuum but in the context of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI), and sustaining national unity is the foremost interest.

KOMPAS/ERWIN EDHI PRASETYA

Local residents exercise their right to vote at polling station (TPS) 10 during the 2019 election on Wednesday (4/17/2019) in Cinderejo Lor village of Gilingan subdistrict, Banjarsari, Solo, Central Java. The TPS used 10 becak (pedicabs) to set up unique polling booths to enliven the atmosphere and attract voters.

Beyond that, attention is now focused on the results. For the presidential election, while the figures are not yet final, quick counts by a number of survey institutions favor candidate pair number 1. The final results will be announced by the KPU within 35 days.

We agree with the view that, even though quick counts are supported by valid methods, the candidate pair prevailing in the quick counts should maintain a measured attitude. The Javanese motto of menang tanpa ngasorake (winning without embarrassing) is still good guidance. On the other side, the pair lagging behind in the quick counts is well advised to help maintain that atmosphere. It is understood that there are supporters who have not been able to receive quick counts, but holding back is a virtue in itself.

KOMPAS/WISNU WIDIANTORO

A woman inserts one of her ballots into the corresponding ballot box at polling station (TPS) 30 on Wednesday (4/17/2019) in Cibodasari, Cibodas, Tangerang, Banten.

Our final advice is that, now that the elections have taken place, we must return to a sense of national brotherhood. We see and believe that the chosen figures are leaders of the entire nation, who will protect the nation with love and wisdom. Restoring post-election togetherness is not an option but a necessity. The show must go on after April 17, 2019.