Elections For Closed Or Open Systems, Observers: Sama Saja, Tidak Perhatian

The Voter Data Update Officer collects data on residents in their homes, Ciamis Village, Ciamis Regency, West Java, Sunday (12/2/2023). (ANTARA)

Political communication observer Emrus Sihombing assesses that anything can be chosen and used as an election system in 2024, either openly or behind closed doors, the results will be the same if viewed from the point of view of interested parties, namely political parties.

He said, the principle of benefits from the mixed proportional electoral system that has been discussed lately is the same as the position as the other two electoral systems, namely open and closed proportional.

"For the people, actually, the three models are the same position, relatively useless. If you want to be closed, whether you want to be partially closed or mixed, it's relatively useless," said Emrus Sihombing, quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, February 21.

The public has not questioned it and there has also been no turmoil when one of the electoral systems was decided to be used.

For example, said Emrus, when using a closed proportional system first and then changing to an open proportional system.

However, when looking at the community, of course, these three systems are not useful, when determining the candidates for legislative candidates, they do not come from the voice of the people.

According to Emrus, so far the people have only been presented the names of candidates who have been determined by political parties and the list of names which the people have chosen at the ballots.

"This means that the electoral system is open or closed, the difference is that there is a list of legislative candidates and there is no list of closed candidates, but both political parties choose legislative candidates. When there is a mixed discourse, it's the same," said the Executive Director of Emrus Corner.

The three systems, he continued, both presented candidates determined by political parties so that there was no guarantee that the prospective legislative candidates would be representatives of the people.

It is different when the candidate who advances is the figure of the people's choice who is then nominated by a political party, it only provides a significant difference compared to fiddling with the electoral system.

Actually, added Emrus, it is important to choose candidates according to the representation of the people who are of common concern if they really want to provide better changes.

"But, after all, we are not a parliamentary system, but a presidential one. That's why I argue that the discourses made by friends, politicians are not very useful," he said.