Nine months before the 2024 election campaign stage, a number of political parties and potential figures for presidential candidates and prospective legislative members socialize intensively with the public.
By
IQBAL BASYARI, KURNIA YUNITA RAHAYU
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KOMPAS/AGUS SUSANTO
Political party flags are displayed at the General Election Commission (KPU) Office, Jakarta, Tuesday (17/1/2023).
JAKARTA, KOMPAS — The absence of strict rules governing socialization before the start of the 2024 election campaign stage at the end of November could potentially encourage election participants to compete with each other in winning the sympathy of potential voters, without rules. The implication is conflicts are prone to break out. Also, the principle of fairness in elections will be difficult to uphold.
Nine months before the 2024 election campaign stage, a number of political parties and potential figures for presidential candidates (capres) and prospective legislative members (caleg) socialize intensively with the public. Some make frequent visits to various areas. Some install props such as billboards and banners with self-portraits in various strategic locations. Likewise, on social media, they introduce themselves often.
However, the General Elections Commission (KPU) decided not to issue new regulations regarding the socialization of political parties and other candidates for the 2024 election prior to the campaign period. Specifically for political parties, KPU Regulation (PKPU) No 33/2018 concerning Election Campaigns is considered still relevant to regulate it, Kompas (25/2/2023).
In this regard, former member of the Election Supervisory Body (Bawaslu), Fritz Edward Siregar, believes PKPU No. 33/2018 and Bawaslu Regulation No. 28/2018 concerning Monitoring of Election Campaigns are no longer appropriate when used for the 2024 Election. The reason is the two regulations were published when the campaign period was still seven months, while for the 2024 election the campaign is only 75 days. Automatically, there is a long pause before the campaign period, which is then used by election participants and candidates for socialization.
"If the KPU is willing [to regulate it], the KPU can issue stricter rules regarding socialization before the campaign. However, because they don't intend to, it's as if it [the election] is being left alone as a free fighting arena. So, they have made the 2024 election into a free fighting arena, free to put up billboards, free to socialize on social media," said Fritz when contacted from Jakarta, on Monday (27/2/2023).
In fact, if there were stricter rules regarding socialization, it would be easier for Bawaslu to monitor and to take measures on violations being committed, both by political parties and other prospective election participants. The existence of these rules can also create justice for all election participants and candidates. Moreover, fairness is one of the main principles in elections. "If now there is no justice, those who have big logistics can do anything," he said.
KOMPAS/HENDRA A SETYAWAN
A motorcyclist crosses the billboards of the 2024 election contestants who are increasingly intent on socializing themselves to the community in the Lengkong Wetan area, Serpong, South Tangerang, Banten, Saturday (4/2/2023).
Potential of polarization
According to former chairman of the Bawaslu, Abhan, the absence of strict socialization rules also has the potential to trigger conflict. Not only among voters, but also election participants.
Secretary-general of the Independent Election Monitoring Committee Kaka Suminta is worried the socialization of political parties and potential presidential/vice presidential candidates and legislative candidate figures will become increasingly widespread after the KPU decided there would be no new rules of the game in the period prior to the campaign stage.
It could potentially trigger slander, hate speech and unpleasant acts because there were no rules before the campaign period.
As a result, they will compete with each other for land to attract the sympathy of voters in public spaces or digital spaces. The initial goal of reducing the campaign period to 75 days to reduce the potential for polarization could not be achieved because the fight had started long before the official campaign period.
"It could potentially trigger slander, hate speech and unpleasant acts because there were no rules before the campaign period. Conflict is unavoidable because the fight is troubling," said Kaka.
However, the KPU continues to insist that KPU Regulation No. 33/2018 is still relevant to regulate socialization by political parties participating in the 2024 Election before the campaign period. Matters governing what political parties can do or are prohibited from doing, according to KPU chairman Hasyim Asy'ari, are stipulated in Article 25.
Submit to Bawaslu
Meanwhile, socialization done by potential presidential or legislative candidates, Hasyim continued, could be considered administrative violations or election criminal acts. "Bawaslu members will later determine whether an action falls into particular category," said Hasyim.
Bawaslu member Lolly Suhenty said Bawaslu initially had hoped there would be more stringent KPU regulations governing socialization. Moreover, in a tripartite meeting between Bawaslu, KPU and the Election Organizer Honorary Council (DKPP) late last year, it was agreed this regulation would be issued from the KPU.
It was agreed the rules were issued due to the shortening of the campaign period, which had an impact on the massive number of participants and candidates participating in the 2024 Election to socialize. "However, it turns out the KPU did not take that position. Maybe there were other matters that finally considered PKPU No. 33/2018 sufficient," added Lolly.
In fact, according to him, PKPU No. 33/2018 only regulates political parties. "Outside political parties, today Bawaslu has not been able to take action because its object is only election participants and now the new political parties have been determined as election participants. If there are individuals who organize meetings or socialization gatherings, we can't do anything about it," he said.
Taking measures against political parties that campaign outside the schedule is not easy. This is because all elements of the campaign, namely self-image or photo, vision, mission, program, image mark and ballot number, must be met cumulatively. However, as long as it is not cumulative, activities are considered as a means of communication.
