Participation Leads to Peaceful Elections

· 6 minutes read

Voting on election day is apparently not enough to show active participation in this year’s elections. For young people, concern and direct participation in campaigning for peaceful elections in public is important.

One form of participation for a peaceful campaign period was conducted by first-year students at the Visual Communication Design Study Program (DKV) at the Indonesian Arts Institute of Surakarta (ISI) by displaying their designs themed “Concerned with Peaceful Election 2019” in Kampoeng Demokrasi, Dukuhan, Nayu, RT 002 / RW 003, Kadipiro, Surakarta.

Around 70 various printed posters and illustrations have been exhibited since Tuesday (9/4/2019) until voting day on Wednesday. They utilized used motorcycle tires as the frame for the posters with a diameter of 50 centimeters.

The posters displayed various messages that revolve around the call to reject transactional politics, to stay united despite different choices, to show a united front against fake news and hate speech, to call for peaceful elections, promoting a spirit of tolerance and to not abstain from voting.

In addition to the poster exhibition, the students also designed graffiti using spray paint, markers and other drawing tools on a giant 3-square-meter banner.

ISI Surakarta FSRD DKV student coordinator Nindra Aris Setya Budi said the call for student participation in producing positive campaign materials related to the 2019 elections started from the lecture hall, precisely from the Applied Illustration course that was taught by lecturers Basnendar Herry Prilosadoso and Rendya Adi Kurniawan.

Both lecturers called on students to apply the knowledge gained during the lectures by holding exhibitions.

The students are expected to be able to contribute directly to the success of the election so that it can be carried out peacefully, safely, honestly and fairly through students\' competencies and abilities in processing creative ideas through illustrative works. “Well, the closest event is the election. Students were asked to produce election-themed posters. This activity is to enliven various peaceful elections in the city of Surakarta,” said Nindra.

Most of the work of the students, he continued, brought the message that the people should not believe in hoaxes or misleading and incorrect information. There is also artwork that calls on people not to be apathetic about the election and an appeal not to believe in transactional politics. Although simple, each student can contribute according to their respective fields. The students were given one week to create the posters.

“We also made a mural. There is a 3-square-meters banner that accommodates the aspirations of people who visit the exhibition, such as students, lecturers and the public. All of us have a role to make the 2019 general election successful,” said Nindra, who is a first-time voter.

Beginner voters

In addition to a peaceful campaign, for Ryan Hendrich Dharma Wijaya, 25, the familiarization of the election process was also important for the millennial generation, especially for first-time voters.

Ryan, who is the chairperson of the Bali Election and Democracy Community (KPPD) and South Denpasar District Election Committee, actively provides guidance for first-time voters through events such as the General Elections Commission (KPU) Goes to Campus, the Bincang Pemilu talk show on RRI radio station, election events at TVRI television stations and familiarization to the people of South Denpasar. The events conducted by the Bali KPPD for the community, especially

young people, include focus group discussions, mural competition, music, slogans, election speeches, theater and casual discussion at a cafe. Various events were organized in a creative way so that young people would not be apathetic toward the democratic process.

The graduate of Yogyakarta-based Gadjah Mada University, who is now studying at the National Education University in Denpasar, has been in this community since 2016, which is a critical and strategic partner formed by the KPU and KPU Bali. This is aimed to improve voter education and increase community participation both in regional and national elections, especially for the millennial generation.

“I realize the importance of community participation, especially millennial voters, which has reached 40 percent of the total national voters. I take responsibility in helping the millennial generation believe that they have an important voice for the future of democracy and development in the next five years,” Ryan said.

The familiarization efforts need to be intensified because, according to him, the millennial generation is not yet aware of their role in voting, especially in being an informed voter. Millennials must be smart in exercising their voting rights and be critical of the development of Indonesian democracy.

“They must not only deal with Instagram and be apathetic about political issues that affect the life of the nation and state,” he said.

Ryan hopes that in the future, more and more young people will actively participate in elections. Being involved in activities at the Bali KPPD, for him, provides exciting new experiences. On the one hand, he can share perspectives, experiences and information with many people, both millennials and academics, about elections and democracy. He can also be creative in giving counseling or education to voters according to their age and hobbies.

“I can learn how to offer understanding so that they can become informed voters and increase public participation,” he said.

However, Ryan’s task is not always easy because there are people who believe they are already well informed. He also felt he was in shortage of time because there were too many things to discuss and do. In addition, he feels that cash funds are still lacking, KPPD members must raise money to carry out activities.

In contrast to Ryan, who feels being underestimated because of his young age, Gumilang Alam, 20, a final-year student at the Informatics System Study Program at Budi Luhur University, Jakarta, feels young people are also important because in the end, the young people will replace those older people. Alam was appointed to a polling committee in Bogor. His job is to guard the ballot boxes and help voters fold ballots.

“I want it, anyway, because I want to try something new and it’s time for young people to understand about the election. After all, if the committee members are young, the vote counting will be faster,” Alam said.

By being appointed a committee member, he feels he has the trust of older people. However, many locals were rather surprised because the polling committee this year had more young people. “The important thing is that we do our best for this election,” he said. (ELN/LOK/LUK)

Editor:

kompascetak