Dirty Vote Film Provides Education That Political Parties Fail To Do

Screenshot of the trailer for the film Dirty Vote by director Dandhy Dwi Laksono. (YouTube)

JAKARTA – Dirty Vote, a documentary film released on the quiet days before the 2024 election, has succeeded in causing a stir in the virtual world. Candidate number two's camp firmly stated that the film was slanderous, while the director said the film was aimed at educating the public in times of peace.

The film Dirty Vote was first released on the YouTube platform on Sunday (11/2/2024) and immediately caught the public's attention. This film, directed by Dandhy Laksono, reveals a series of fraud that occurred in the 2024 elections.

Three legal experts involved in the film Dirty Vote, from left: Zainal Arifin Mochtar, Feri Amsari, and Bvitri Susanti. (Special)

Apart from that, this 1 hour 57 minute long film also contains facts, data, and in-depth investigations including how state institutions are also involved in processes that undermine Indonesia's democratic order.

"There are times when we become supporters of presidential and vice presidential candidates, but, today, I want to invite everyone to watch this film as citizens," said Dandhy Laksono.

Considered as Slander

The film Dirty Vote features three constitutional law experts, namely Bivitri Susanti, Feri Amsari, and Zainal Arifin Mochtar. Bivitri said this film is a historical record of the destruction of democracy in Indonesia. He also said that Dirty Vote tells about two things.

"First, about democracy, which cannot be interpreted as just holding elections, but how elections take place. "Not just the results of the vote count, but whether the entire election process was carried out fairly in accordance with constitutional values," said Bivitri.

"Second, regarding power that is misused due to nepotism which is unlawful in a democratic rule of law," she added.

Since appearing on YouTube, the film Dirty Vote has immediately stolen attention. This film also received attention from each presidential candidate. Deputy Chair of the Prabowo Subianto-Gibran Rakabuming Raka National Campaign Team (TKN), Habiburokhman, assessed that the documentary Dirty Vote contained slander.

Deputy Chair of the Prabowo-Gibran TKN, Habiburokhman (second from left) when giving a response to the film Dirty Vote which he considered to be slanderous. (YouTube Screenshot)

He also questioned the legal experts who appeared in the film.

"Most of what is conveyed in the film is slanderous, assumptive hate narratives, and very unscientific," said Habiburokhman.

The film also touches on alleged fraud committed by the Ganjar Pranowo-Mahfud MD camp. Dirty Vote displays evidence of the Integrity Pact between the Acting Regent of Sorong Yan Piet Mosso and the Head of the West Papua Regional BIN to win the number three pair in the 2024 Presidential Election.

The Acting Regent of Sorong, who is a suspect in alleged corruption crimes, is suspected of making a memorandum of understanding with Brigadier General TNI TSP Silaban to seek support and contribute votes in the 2024 presidential election, at least 60 percent + 1 for Ganjar's victory in Sorong Regency.

Legal Deputy for the National Winning Team (TPN) Ganjar-Mahfud Todung Mulya Lubis opened technical guidance (bimtek) regarding reporting violations in the 2024 Election stages at the Ganjar-Mahfud Winning Post, Central Jakarta, Thursday (4/1/2024). (Antara/Hana Kinarina/am)

PDIP Party Secretary-General Hasto Kristiyanto responded to this claim. According to him, if his party really wants to win easily, it can do so by extending President Joko Widodo's term of office. However, Hasto emphasized that this step was not chosen because it violated the constitution.

"If we want to win easily, it's good for us, we'll just extend it, Mr. Jokowi. "But we chose the constitutional path, the democratic path, not the path obtained by the PDI Perjuangan," said Hasto.

Indonesian Society Must Be Educated

Political analyst and Executive Director of the Indonesia Public Institute (IPI), Karyono Wibowo praised the appearance of the film Dirty Vote three days before voting day. According to Karyono, this film, directed by Dandhy Laksono, can actually educate people who still lack literacy regarding elections and the presidential election.

“This film is good as an effort to provide education to the public, this is an important film. "Of course, there will be various responses from the public, there will be pros and cons," said Karyono when talking with VOI.

"But the film Dirty Vote actually fills or replaces the role of political parties which have never educated the public. "Our society must be intelligent," added Karyono.

A mass demonstration to reject election fraud consisting of students from various campuses moved from the Trisakti University Reform Monument, West Jakarta to Harmoni, Central Jakarta, Wednesday (7/2/2024). (Antara/Risky Gratitude)

Karyono said that in the midst of the growing phenomenon of buying votes with money political practices such as providing social assistance, the role of the film Dirty Vote is very important in enlightening society.

He regrets that society's criteria for choosing leaders has now shifted to things that smell like gimmicks and money politics, and this is sad. However, Karyono believes that there are still shortcomings in the Dirty Vote film regarding important issues to be conveyed to the public.

“There are important issues in society that still need to be addressed in the film. For example, regarding voter rationality. "Or teach the public that the point is that differences in choices are normal," said Karyono again.

"There must be education for the public in making choices, there must be rational, logical considerations. Don't vote because of money politics. "We should be informed of the risks, the impacts (if we vote because of money politics)," said Karyono in conclusion.