DPR Asks KPU To Increase Participation Of PSU Voters In 22 Provinces

Illustration of the 2024 Simultaneous Pilkada (ANTARA)

JAKARTA Member of Commission II of the DPR RI, Mohammad Toha, asked the General Elections Commission (KPU) to increase voter participation following a re-voting (PSU), follow-up voting (PSL), and follow-up voting (PSS) which will be held in 22 provinces in Indonesia.

The plan is that PSU, PSL, and PSS will be held in 287 polling stations (TPS), with details of 46 polling stations for PSU, 231 polling stations for PSS, and 10 polling stations for PSL. This number can increase, because the KPU is still waiting for recommendations from the Election Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) and reports of events from the regions.

Mohammad Toha emphasized that the KPU must work hard to ensure that the implementation of PSU, PSL, and PSS runs smoothly. In addition, the KPU is also asked to motivate the public to be more enthusiastic about giving their voting rights, so that voter participation can increase.

"Toha mengungkapkan, laporan dari organisasi masyarakat sipil dan hasil riset lembaga survei menunjukkan partisipasi pemilih dalam Pilkada Serentak 2024 terbilang rendah, bahkan ada daerah dengan partisipasi di bawah 50 persen," ujar Toha, Rabu, 4 Desember.

He added that the KPU needs to develop an effective strategy so that voter participation in re-voting does not decrease. "Low participation is certainly a problem that needs to be thoroughly evaluated," said the legislator from Central Java V.

For this reason, Toha suggested that the KPU be more aggressive in conducting socialization to the community, with an attractive approach and being adjusted to the conditions of each region. "The KPU in the regions certainly understands the characteristics of the local community better," he added.

Furthermore, Toha asked the KPU to conduct a thorough evaluation after the 2024 Simultaneous Pilkada was completed. "What is the cause of the low voter participation, and what needs to be improved for regional elections in the coming years?" he asked.

Toha also revealed that Commission II of the DPR RI will invite the KPU and other election organizers to discuss the implementation of the 2024 Pilkada. "We will schedule a meeting with the KPU to discuss this," he concluded.