Testing the Democratization of Political Parties

A number of political parties do not have regulations that are clear, open and strictly adhered to together. This indicates that democracy has not been optimally implemented by the political parties.

KOMPAS/DOKUMENTASI PDIP

PDIP General Chair Megawati Soekarnoputri (left) signs the inauguration inscription of 25 PDIP branch offices in a number of regions, Sunday (30/5/2021). Megawati also used the opportunity for internal consolidation.

A number of political parties have begun to work on strategies for the 2024 general elections. This process will also function as a test of the quality of democracy within political parties.

For the sake of obtaining more optimal results in the 2024 general elections, a number of political parties are trying to support their own members in the presidential election by starting to map out electoral districts to pick out figures to be supported as candidates for legislative members (Kompas, 11/10/2021).

For political parties and candidate nominees, two and a half years is not a long time to prepare for the elections. Previous experience has shown that presidential and vice-presidential candidates are usually decided near the close of registration at the General Elections Commission (KPU). Changing the list of candidates for legislative members is still possible as well until the final moment.

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> Political Party Reform

> Comprehensive Reform in KPU Needed

Then, is this condition caused by the fact that the political parties or candidates do not make preparations in advance? Neither does. Preparations for the elections have often been disclosed by the political parties long beforehand. The search, education or training of members who are projected to sit in the legislative or executive institutions are carried out by the political parties for several years before the elections.

KOMPAS/WAWAN H PRABOWO

Flags of political parties participating in the 2019 general election filled the outskirts of the overpass in the Senayan area, Central Jakarta, on Friday (5/4/2019).

However, the preparations worked out in advance are frequently "defeated" by political pragmatism during the elections. The potential for victory, logistical readiness or political closeness and lobbies at the final moment usually function as the dominant factors in the final stages of candidate preparation for the elections.

This indicates that democracy has not been optimally implemented by the political parties. A number of political parties do not have regulations that are clear, open and strictly adhered to together; for example, the requirements for a person to be backed up as a candidate for a legislative candidate with a certain serial number. In addition to administrative issues as required by law, the requirements in question should also cover competence, integrity and involvement in the political parties. The issue that also needs to be opened up from the start is the costs that must be incurred by nominees for candidacy and obligations to the political parties if they later sit in the legislature.

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> Political Corruption

> Developing Political Infrastructure

The optimal application of democracy within the political parties will lead to a transparent and fair selection process for everyone in the political parties and the public in general. This does not only reduce the potential for the emergence of political party members who are disappointed because their political career is suddenly cut out or someone who suddenly appears as a figure in a political party. However, more importantly, it will lead to the birth of candidates who are qualified and have integrity through the elections. Such candidates, apart from being able to attract the sympathy of voters, also have the skills and integrity when serving after winning the elections.

Finally, practicing democracy has become the obligation of the political parties. Article 13 (d) of Law No. 2/2008 on political parties states that political parties are obliged to uphold the rule of law, democracy and human rights. Hopefully the political parties truly carry out this obligation in preparing for the 2024 general elections.

This article was translated by Hyginus Hardoyo.