Potential for Re-Voting

The day of voting and counting votes in the election is a day that is eagerly awaited by all Indonesians. Contestants for the 2024 simultaneous election, both executive and legislative, are no exception. Through the vote-counting process, national government political officials will be determined and identified as president and vice president and as members of parliament in the DPR, DPD, provincial DPRD, and district/city DPRD.

During the vote-counting process, a very crucial role lies with the organizers at the lowest field level. Because it is in their hands that the election results are realized. A direct, public, free, secret, honest, and fair vote-counting process is a challenge. They are the members of the Voting Organizing Group (KPPS) who are at the forefront. Duties and responsibilities are not light.

In cyberspace, creative, fresh, and very entertaining content is now emerging. The point is to show appreciation for being a KPPS. Specifically, with an honorarium of IDR 1,2 million for the chairman and IDR 1,1 million for members. Compared to the 2019 election, this honorarium has increased significantly.

So, seeing the crucial role in overseeing the vote counting process, all potentials that might arise must be known. This is because there is a possibility that an inappropriate process will arise, causing the collection at the TPS to become doubtful, and then it can be concluded that fraud has occurred.

It is noted that there are three stages that must be taken seriously to reduce potential violations. When counting votes, there is the potential for violations, such as administrative violations, election crimes, and even violations of organizer ethics.

So all those who become KPPS must really understand the process and technical matters when counting votes. Starting from before, during, and after. Don’t make any mistakes that will cause a violation. One example is re-voting (PSU).

PSU potential

The reasons for the PSU seem trivial. In fact, perhaps many people doubt that PSU can happen. But in reality, this happened in the 2019 simultaneous elections. In Central Java, there were 25 polling stations held by the PSU.

PSU provisions are regulated based on Law Number 7 of 2017 concerning general elections. Article 372 paragraph (1) reads, Voting at a TPS can be repeated if a natural disaster and/or riot occur, which results in the voting results not being able to be used or the vote counting not being able to be carried out. Paragraph (2) reads, Voting at a TPS must be repeated if the results of research and inspection by TPS supervisors prove that there are circumstances, including the use of voting rights by voters who do not have an electronic identity card and are not registered on the permanent voter list. addition.

This provision is stated in more detail in KPU Regulation Number 25 of 2023 concerning Voting and Counting of Votes in General Elections, Article 80 Paragraphs (1) and (2). Meanwhile, the period for implementing the PSU at the TPS is a maximum of 10 days after the voting, based on the Regency/City KPU Decree, Article 81 Paragraph (3).

Quoted from the Sketch Book of Supervision in Bumi Samin, PSU in Blora. A case occurred where there were 5 voters who showed e-KTPs that were not original residents of the TPS and did not bring A-5. The e-KTP itself is outside the province of Central Java, but the KPPS is given ballot papers for the president and vice president.

It should be that voters who only show their e-KTP can only vote at their original polling station. If such voters are found, of course they will not be able to exercise their right to vote.

Law 7/2017 concerning elections clearly and firmly regulates this. Article 348 Paragraphs (1) and (2) and Article 349 Paragraph (1) read, Electronic identity card voters who are not registered on the permanent voter list and additional voter list, as well as residents who already have the right to vote as intended in Article 348 Paragraph (1) letters c and d apply provisions, including: voting at a polling station where there is a neighborhood or community unit according to the address stated on the electronic identity card.

Thorough and careful

The potential vulnerability above could occur again. So KPPS as well as TPS supervisors (PTPS) and witnesses must have good technical knowledge when on duty. If everyone knows this, potential violations can be prevented.

Usually, this is more about the accuracy aspect. It is possible that PSU occurred because KPPS was not careful in providing ballot papers to voters. Moreover, the terms for voters also vary.

At least there are several things to pay attention to. First, the existence of five ballot papers was one of the causes. Second, identify voters whose status is registered with the DPT, additional voters (DPTb), special voters (DPK), and voters who have an e-KTP but have not yet registered. Third, there are different electoral districts. If there are voters who have DPTb status, the DPK does not have to get five ballot papers.

This is where the KPPS must be careful and thorough during the initial process, when voters arrive at the TPS. If the voters are in the DPT, of course there will be no difficulties. But if you find one in the DPTb or DPK category and only bring an e-KTP, you have to look carefully.

The potential vulnerability above could occur again. KPPS as well as TPS supervisors (PTPS) and witnesses must have good technical knowledge when on duty. If this had been known, the potential violation could have been prevented.

This understanding must be conveyed well to KPPS and PTPS before vote-counting day. The method is through simulations, which lead to potential problems at the TPS. This must be done continuously until KPPS really understands.

In the midst of rampant disinformation during the 2024 general election, it is appropriate that the February 14 counting ball be a momentum to show that the voting results at the TPS are truly the people’s choice. There was no engineering and no cheating whatsoever when collecting the count at the TPS. At the TPS, the entire community was actively involved by watching and monitoring everything that the KPPS did while carrying out its duties. It is at the polling station level that the fate of the nation is at stake, so don’t cheat. []

 

Sugie Rusyono

Coordinator of the Academy for Elections and Democracy and Chair of the Muhamadiyah Institute for Wisdom and Public Policy, Blora Regency.