Facing The 2024 Pilkada, Political Parties Are Called To Choose Popularity Instead Of Quality

Photo Certificate: Illustration of the 2024 Pilkada. (Ist)

JAKARTA The phenomenon of the rise of public figures being promoted as candidates for regional heads in the 2024 Pilkada is referred to as a step for political parties to choose popularity over the quality of a person to win.

"Because this is not a matter of ability and leadership in mitigating or overcoming problems, it is more inclined towards public figures," said Executive Director of the Voxpol Center Research and Consulting, Pangi Syarwi Chaniago, Sunday, July 24, 2024.

He considered that a person's popularity was more influential in some areas because the majority of people were still considering what could be seen, not the track record of a candidate.

"Recognized or not, there are still many voters who ignore the track record and background of figures who may be more experienced than the public figures they carry," he added.

This, continued Pangi, triggered several political parties to carry the names of public figures in regional elections. The same thing applies to PSI General Chair, Kaesang Pangarep, who is considered to have high popularity.

According to him, popularity is a big capital for Kaesang who does not have experience in the bureaucracy or leads an area. Especially if the youngest son of President Joko Widodo fights in an area that does not have an incumbent candidate.

"Central Java, for example. If Kaesang does advance in Central Java, it will certainly attract the attention of the public. All eyes will be directed there, so the national discussion is because Central Java is a province that is actually a PDIP cage," said Pangi.