Flashback Early On The Emergence Of Cheating Issues For The 2024 Election

The joint crowd of students held an action in front of Gedung Sate, Bandung, West Java, Wednesday (7/2/2024). They refused and condemned the potential for cheating in the 2024 General Election. (Between)

JAKARTA The issue of cheating in the 2024 General Election rolled like a snowball after its implementation on February 14. So, how should we address repeated issues every time an election is held?

The issue of cheating in the 2024 General Election has emerged long before the campaign period began on November 28, 2023. The campaign period is regulated based on the General Election Commission (KPU) Regulation Number 15 of 2023, which is November 28, 2023 to February 10, 2024.

The campaign period includes limited meetings, face-to-face meetings, the distribution of campaign materials to the public, the installation of campaign props in public places, debate of presidential and vice presidential candidates, and campaigns through social media.

From January 21 to February 10, 2024, campaign formats were added to public meetings, advertisements in print mass media, electronic mass media, and online mass media.

If it is reviewed, actually the issue of cheating in the 2024 General Election actually arises from the elite. Whether it's the head of a political party, as well as candidates for presidential and vice presidential candidates.

Chairman of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP), Megawati Soekarnoputri, is listed as the first person to raise the issue of fraud in the 2024 General Election.

"People should not be intimidated like before. Don't let the last election fraud look like it has started to appear and will happen again," Megawati said in her message on PDIP's official YouTube, Monday, November 13, 2023.

Mahfud MD, Vice Presidential Candidate number 3, who was still serving as Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs, also made a statement regarding the THREAT of the 2024 General Election.

"The reports I received included the alleged installation of political party billboards by certain individuals. On the other hand, there was a decrease in the billboards of certain political parties carried out by the authorities," Mahfud said on November 13, 2023.

Mahfud added that he received reports of actions called 'currencies' from five provinces, namely: Bali, DKI Jakarta, Central Java, East Java, and North Sumatra.

When the PDIP camp continued to raise the issue of fraud, a copy of the integrity pact containing the name of the Acting Regent of Sorong, Yan Piet Mosso. In the pact, Yan stated that he was able to contribute to the votes of 60 percent + 1 for the victory of the Ganjar Pranowo-Mahfud MD pair in Sorong Regency.

Since when the PDIP camp was disbursed, the issue of cheating in the 2024 General Election has continued. Candidate pair number 1, Anies Baswedan-Muhaimin Iskandar also spoke about the issue. However, they actually responded to Mahfud's statement regarding the cheating of the 2024 General Election.

"If you referees play concurrently, as well as players, I don't hesitate to report to FIFA," said Muhaimin in a joking tone, likening as if they were competing in football.

Responding to the issue of cheating that began to emerge, Gibran Rakabuming Raka as Vice President Prabowo Subianto also spoke up.

"Yes, it is proven that there are frauds, and they are reported," said Gibran.

The answer is classic, because it responds to classic issues in every election.

Responding to the issue of cheating on the 2024 General Election which began to roll out, political observers from the Center for Political Science Studies at the University of Indonesia (Puskapol UI), Hurriyah, considered it natural if there were concerns about fraud.

Gibran's position as Vice Presidential Candidate who is also President Jokowi's son became his origin.

"Why is there a fear of election fraud? The president has the authority, the flexibility to use the budget, mobilize resources and state officials," Hurriyah said, as quoted by BBC News Indonesia.

The decision of the Constitutional Court (MK), which is considered to facilitate Gibran's candidacy as Vice President, also sparked concerns about the cheating of the 2024 General Election.

On the other hand, Hurriyah also highlighted the sincerity of the PDIP to fight for election independence. The reference used was Puan Maharani's comment in August 2023, before Gibran was smoothed out by the Constitutional Court to become a vice presidential candidate.

To the media, Puan stated that Gibran might become a vice presidential candidate for Ganjar. According to him, the possibility is open if the Constitutional Court approves the Vice Presidential Candidate under 40 years old.

"We are watching this. If indeed in the Constitutional Court it is then approved that there are candidates for Vice Presidential Candidates under 40 years old, yes, Mas Gibran could be advanced," said Puan at the Merdeka Palace, Thursday, August 17, 2023.

If you want to be honest, actually all parties have an interest in the 2024 General Election. So it's not good if then each party accuses each other, and affects the grassroots which become noisy.

There is an assessment that this is due to the depravity of the attitude of Indonesian politicians, which if continuously can have an impact on tensions in society.