Celebrating 16th Anniversary, Bawaslu Asks Election Supervisory Staff Not to Be "Naughty"

Bawaslu's authority is now very strong. However, the temptation faced by election observers is much stronger.

KOMPAS/IQBAL BASYARI

Bawaslu Chairman Rahmat Bagja gave a speech at the peak of the Bawaslu 16th Anniversary celebration at the Bawaslu Office, Jakarta, Sunday (21/4/2024).

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — Chairman of the Election Supervisory Agency or Bawaslu Rahmat Bagja reminded all levels of election supervisors at all levels to remain focused on carrying out supervisory work. Integrity of all personnel must be strengthened so that Bawaslu can become a better supervisory institution.

The warning was given because according to Rahmat Bagja, 16 years of age is usually the beginning of a "naughty" phase. "Be careful of 16-year-olds, the age when they start to get naughty. The entire hierarchy must remain aware, do not waver," said the Chairman of Bawaslu Rahmat Bagja in his speech at the peak of the celebration of Bawaslu's 16th anniversary at the Bawaslu Office in Jakarta on Sunday (21/4/2024).

The peak of the celebration of the 16th anniversary of Bawaslu was quite lively by inviting singer Yura Yunita. The event was also attended by Bawaslu officials from provincial and district/city levels. Previously, Bawaslu held a thanksgiving ceremony for its 16th anniversary in Jakarta on Tuesday (16/4/2024).

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Bagja said, like humans, the age of 16 is the end of the first puberty and changes usually occur. However, for Bawaslu, all levels must not change in carrying out supervisory work. All levels must continue to strengthen their supervisory work both at the 2024 Election stage and the 2024 Regional Head Election that is already underway.

KOMPAS/IQBAL BASYARI

Singer Yura Yunita sings a song at the peak of the Bawaslu 16th Anniversary celebration at the Bawaslu Office, Jakarta, Sunday (21/4/2024).

Furthermore, Bagja hopes that Bawaslu becomes a better institution so that the steps taken must be more precise. The entire supervisory evaluation results in the 2024 Election stages should be the basis for improvement in implementing supervision in the upcoming 2024 regional elections.

"We hope that our friends will remain enthusiastic in observing the elections in Indonesia, even though our Instagram, Facebook, and social media are filled with insults. But we can still perform good oversight work," he said.

Bawaslu member, Lolly Suhenty, added that from a regulatory standpoint, Bawaslu's authority is already very strong. However, the temptations faced by the supervisory ranks at various levels are sometimes much stronger.

From a regulatory perspective, the authority of Bawaslu (Election Supervisory Board) is already very strong. However, the temptations faced by levels of supervisors are sometimes much stronger.

On the other hand, there are many challenges that the Election Supervisory Board (Bawaslu) must face, including responsiveness, readiness, and courage. Therefore, all of Bawaslu's resources must strengthen their integrity in order to carry out supervision work more effectively.

"The age of 16 is not just an ordinary age, it is an age where one can already run. Therefore, we will see their ability," said Lolly.

In addition, he continued, Bawaslu also continues to improve to become a more inclusive election organizing agency. The role of women in supervision is continuously strengthened because they have the same rights and opportunities in elections. Therefore, election organizing can be more inclusive and friendly towards women.

"We have a commitment to monitor democracy that should not exclude women. Women must be involved, and what they do must be appreciated," he said.

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Member of the National Commission on Violence Against Women or Komnas Perempuan, Siti Aminah Tardi, said that women electoral organizers are among the groups vulnerable to violence. This violence can be carried out by political parties, the media, or within the electoral management agency. One form of this is alleged sexual violence committed by fellow organizers.