Generation Z Surabaya Don't Abstain

Generation Z in voting in the 2024 election so that they do not abstain and use their right to vote correctly according to their conscience.

The following article was translated using both Microsoft Azure Open AI and Google Translation AI. The original article can be found in Generasi Z Surabaya Jangan Golput

AMBROSIUS HARTO MANUMOYOSO

Two female students from the University of Surabaya assembled 150 Rubik's cubes as an installation for a campaign targeting voters, especially the Z generation, to use their voting rights in the general election on February 14, 2024.

SURABAYA, KOMPAS — A series of rubrics with the words "Gen Z anti-voting" marks an invitation for the younger generation to exercise their right to vote in voting 2024 General Election, Wednesday (14/2/2024). Generation Z, who are beginner voters, should not abstain.

The anti-golput campaign was voiced by two University of Surabaya students while assembling 150 colorful rubiks or cubes into a writing installation on the Tenggilis Campus, Surabaya, East Java , Monday (12/2/2024). The Rubik's creators are Michelle Angelina from the informatics engineering study program and Kiera Ashley from the product design and management study program.

"We initiated the creation of these rubik cubes as a campaign medium for our friends and the public to not abstain from voting," said Michelle. The rubik cubes are assembled in 3 cm x 3 cm x 3 cm dimensions with each edge having a length of 5 cm. With these dimensions, one rubik consists of 27 small cubes with different colored sides. The small cubes are manipulated to produce the desired mosaic of colors.

Also read: Competing over Gen Z and Millennials

AMBROSIUS HARTO MANUMOYOSO

Two female students from Universitas Surabaya assembled 150 rubik's cubes as an installation for a campaign aimed at voters, particularly generation Z, to exercise their right to vote in the general election on February 14, 2024.

This means that our generation (Gen Z) will greatly determine the direction of our nation and country through the elections.

Kiera quoted data from the General Election Commission, the number of generation Z (born 1997-2012) who were entitled to vote reached 46.8 million or 22.85 percent of the total voters of 204.8 million people. "This means that our generation (Gen Z) really determines the journey of the nation and state through elections," he said.

Therefore, they initiated to do a positive "campaign" to their friends on campus and their hope is to target the public through mass media and social media by creating the "Gen Z Anti Golput" puzzles. Coincidentally, the election day falls on Valentine's Day or Love Day. Michelle and Kiera hope that their peers will prioritize celebrating the election as a form of love for the nation's democratic process.

Also read: Gen Z Voter Orientation is Strong, but Easily Fragile

AMBROSIUS HARTO MANUMOYOSO

A mini poster on one of the pillars of Surabaya University in East Java reminds academic members to exercise their right to vote in the general election on February 14, 2024.

Previously, the Forum for Communication among Regional Leaders of Surabaya City launched a one-day program for Generation Z in the East Java capital in order to exercise their right to vote at the polling station. They named this program the Millennial Voting Movement, Let's Vote and Indulge in a Free Meal at 55 member cafes and restaurants of the Indonesian Cafe and Restaurant Entrepreneurs Association (Apkrindo).

Chairman of East Java Apkrindo Ferry Setiawan said he supported Forkopimda's desire to encourage the participation of first-time voters in voting. "Valid for Gen Z who have voted by showing their KTP and proof of their fingers being dipped in ink. "This program applies to the first 100 voters who come to the tenant after giving their voting rights," he said.

According to the Head of the Surabaya City KPU Nur Syamsi, the breakthrough of Forkopimda is very good to encourage the participation of first-time voters. "The hope is that they can exercise their voting rights properly and according to their conscience," he said.

Nur Syamsi continued, the voting process will take place on Wednesday (14/2/2024) from 07.00-13.00. After that, the vote counting process will continue. Surabaya residents who are voters will receive five ballot papers to vote for presidential and vice presidential candidates, candidates for the Regional Representative Council (DPD), candidates for the House of Representatives (DPR), provincial DPRD, and district/city DPRD.

Also read: Generation Z Preference Paradox

KOMPAS/HENDRA A SETYAWAN

Visitors, who are mostly young people, flock to a coffee shop in the late afternoon in the Alam Sutera area of South Tangerang, Banten, on Monday (22/1/2024).

Political communication lecturer at Trunojoyo Madura University, Surokim Abdussalam, stated that there are challenges for first-time voters in exercising their political rights. This refers to how voters can correctly exercise their rights, ensuring that their ballot on the voting paper is considered valid.

"Coming to the polling station is not enough, how to exercise the right to vote correctly in order to minimize invalid votes in the vote counting," said Surokim, Vice Rector for Student Affairs.

Voters must cast their vote in one column, for example, the photo of a presidential and vice presidential candidate pair, a photo of a candidate for DPD member, or the emblem of a political party along with a list of the candidate's names. For example, a vote will not be considered valid if two out of three presidential and vice presidential candidate pairs are chosen or if more than one image of a candidate for DPD member is selected. A vote will also be considered invalid if more than one political party emblem is chosen or if candidates from different political parties are chosen.