Overseas Elections Are Marked by Huge Queues and Wrong Address Ballots

The course of elections abroad is a reflection of Indonesian democracy in the eyes of the world

The following article was translated using both Microsoft Azure Open AI and Google Translation AI. The original article can be found in Pemilu di Luar Negeri Diwarnai Antrean Membeludak hingga Surat Suara Salah Alamat

TANGKAPAN LAYAR VIDEO MIGRANT CARE

Residents queue to vote at the polling station in World Trade Center, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Sunday (11/2/2024).

JAKARTA, KOMPAS —The implementation of elections in abroad was marked by a number of incidents, ranging from an increase in the number of voters, campaign violations, to sending ballot papers to the wrong address. This situation illustrates how complex the voting system is and also reflects the Indonesian election in international eyes.

On Sunday (11/2/2024), there were 36 representatives from the Republic of Indonesia abroad who held elections, such as Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu, London, Madrid, Manila, Rome, Tokyo, Singapore, Yangon, Penang, and Rabat.

In Kuala Lumpur, the enthusiasm of Indonesian citizens who want to exercise their right to vote is evident at the polling station located at the World Trade Centre (WTC) Kuala Lumpur. In this location, there are 223 overseas polling stations (TPSLN) to serve 222,945 people who are registered in the permanent voter list.

Since morning, Indonesian citizens have been jostling in queues at polling stations. The sharp increase in the number of voters has left officials struggling to manage the flow of voters.

Also read: Voter Registration Problems and Fraud Overshadow Elections Abroad

Director of Migrant CARE, Wahyu Susilo, said in a press conference on Sunday (11/2/2024) afternoon that some voters were not listed in the Permanent Voter List. "Referring to the regulations, they are indeed allowed to vote one hour before the end of the voting time. However, due to the high number of voters, they could start voting from 10:00," said Wahyu Susilo.

In the WTC building, a total of 223 TPSLN are divided across two floors. TPSLN 01-139 are located on the 4th floor, and TPSLN 140-223 are on the 3rd floor.

KOMPAS/RYAN RINALDY

Executive Director of Migrant Care Wahyu Susilo.

In Kuala Lumpur, for the first time, the election is being held in one location. In the previous elections, the polling stations were divided in several places, such as in the embassy office and schools. Considering that the election is being held in one same location, the crowd is concentrated in that place. "There should be crowd management because the condition is very crowded," he said.

Initially, the Foreign Election Committee in Kuala Lumpur prepared 100 registration tables. Upon seeing the enthusiasm of the voters, the committee added the registration tables to 400. The number of air conditioning units that were switched on was also increased from two to eight.

Until 6:00 PM local time, there were still crowds of people who wanted to exercise their voting rights. However, the entrance to the WTC had already been closed as a sign of the end of the general election time. "This shows that the flow of masses coming to the TPSLN in Kuala Lumpur is indeed extraordinary," said Wahyu.

Iklan

During the election, there were several complaints registered, such as the unstable internet access. The registration, which was initially planned to be carried out using software, ended up being done manually.

This shows that the turnout of people coming to TPSLN in Kuala Lumpur is indeed exceptional.

The enthusiasm of the community who wish to exercise their voting rights is also evident in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam. Here, the community crowded together to exercise their voting rights. Some even fainted and decided to leave the line because they couldn't stand waiting for too long. Among the voters, there was also someone who campaigned for a particular legislative candidate.

Low participation

Unlike other regions, the number of voters in Singapore is not as high as the previous election. In Singapore, the number of Permanent Overseas Voters (DPTLN) registered is 106,515 people. Until 5 PM local time, only 28 percent of DPTLN exercised their right to vote. This is different from the 2019 election where public participation reached 40 percent.

National Secretary of the Migrant Workers Network, Savitri Wisnuwardhani, stated that the lack of participation was caused by the election being held on the same day as the Lunar New Year. "The readiness of the PPLNs and the distribution of invitation letters varied, and the obligation to wear shoes when entering the TPSLN located in the KBRI office also caused many voters to cancel their right to vote," she said.

KBRI STOCKHOLM

The atmosphere of the election at Drottninggatan, Stockholm, Sweden, on Saturday (10/2/2024). The indoor location was deliberately chosen so that residents who came from out of town could rest.

In Stockholm, Sweden, the voting at the polling station (TPS) was held on Saturday (10/2/2024). This moment was used as an opportunity for Indonesian expatriates to gather and enjoy various Indonesian food and drinks while fostering camaraderie. The polling place was located at a fairly large meeting hall on Drottninggatan. Please note that no forbidden words were present in the original text.

Chairman of PPLN Stockholm, Kiki Rizki, in a press release, Sunday, said that the indoor format was deliberately chosen so that residents coming from outside the city could rest and take advantage of the voting time to relieve their longing for Indonesian culinary delights.

Also read: Voters Corner

In Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, voters' enthusiasm did not fade even though they had to vote in the cold air of 13 degrees Celsius. Voters have even arrived since 06.45 local time. "We express our highest appreciation and gratitude to all parties in helping to smooth the 2024 elections," said the Chairman of the Riyadh Overseas Election Committee, Tatang Muhtar.

KOMPAS/WAWAN H PRABOWO (WAK)

Titi Anggraini

Trustee of the Association for Elections and Democracy (Perludem) Titi Anggraini said that the course of elections abroad is a picture of Indonesian democracy in the eyes of the world. "I don't think any other country holds elections as lively as Indonesia," he said.

He appreciates the overseas election committee for their hard work. However, there are certain improvements that need to be made. For instance, the availability of the number of officials to answer and facilitate the needs of voters needs to be improved.

In addition, there are still administrative problems arising, such as passport numbers found to be inconsistent with the voter's name, or voters registered at TPSs in Indonesia despite having been abroad for 20 years. There are also ballot papers sent to the wrong address and ultimately rendered useless.

"There are many things that cannot be dealt with using formal rules. The electoral organizers need progressiveness to respond to the realities on the ground," he said.