Focus on Quality 2024 General Elections

Kris - Biro Pers Sekretariat Presiden

President Joko Widodo reports the Annual Income Tax Return through the online e-filing application at the Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java, on Friday, March 4, 2022.2.

In response to the proposed postponement of the elections, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo asserted that he is obedient and compliant to the Constitution, putting wild speculations to rest.

The President’s statement implies that he does not intend to amend the Constitution in order to postpone the elections in 2024. President Jokowi will uphold the 1945 Constitution, which he swore by when he was inaugurated.

It would be increasingly difficult to postpone the elections by amending the 1945 Constitution. Not only would the terms of office for the president, vice president, House of Representatives, Regional Representatives Council (DPD), Regional Legislative Councils (DPRD) and regional heads have to be extended, but there would also be strong opposition from pro-democracy groups.

Also read:

> President: Obey, Follow, Comply with the Constitution

> Rejecting the Cancelation of 2024 General Elections

This attitude also implies that President Jokowi is not tempted, which could tarnish his reputation as a modest, populist leader born of the people, by the people and for the people. With his political power and almost complete control over the House, postponing the elections could certainly be done, but President Jokowi has chosen not to. This will be a moment recorded in history.

Without an actual emergency situation, all stakeholders must immediately focus on preparing for the 2024 general elections, a nationwide simultaneous election of five ballot boxes within a day, also known as the largest election in the world. The simultaneous regional head elections will also be held in the same year during the Covid-19 pandemic that has yet to end.

KOMPAS/HERU SRI KUMORO

Billboards of political parties and party leaders are side by side with public service advertisements about Covid-19 and commercial advertisements on the side of Jalan Pahlawan Seribu, South Tangerang, Sunday (20/2/2022). Approaching the political year of the 2024 General Election, political parties are increasingly socializing and getting closer to the community. The General Elections Commission has set the 2024 simultaneous elections on February 14, 2024.

Incumbents in the executive and legislative branches should focus on completing their remaining work so that this can be used as capital for reelection, so they may continue their work. On the other hand, nonincumbents have to work on surpassing the incumbents.

Political parties, as election participants, must also select party members that deserve nomination for executive or legislative positions in the 2024 general elections, those that can push this country forward within the next five to 10 years. This must all take place in a world currently facing volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity, known as a VUCA world.

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> Securing the 2024 Elections

Election organizers, namely the General Elections Commission (KPU), the Election Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) and the Honorary Council for Election Organizers, must also focus on ensuring the elections are implemented smoothly. Voters have to be educated to vote for the best candidates and are not tempted by money politics. If all goes well, voter participation will also increase and votes will nab seats for state administrators.

Holding the elections during the pandemic also requires that the budget is used effectively and efficiently. These circumstances will also be a test for political parties and candidates to compete for electability without relying on money politics, intimidation and cheating. All must compete through honest work for the people.

This article was translated by Kesya Adhalia.