Presidential Election 2 Paslons Only Perpetuate Big Parties, Not In The Same Way With Democracy

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JAKARTA - Political communication observer from Esa Unggul University Jakarta, Jamiluddin Ritonga hopes that the PDIP's wish regarding the 2 candidate pairs in the 2024 presidential election will not happen.

Because it is feared that it will re-form polarization that leads to division in society.

"Of course this nation does not want division just because of the presidential election. Therefore, party elites must be wiser in determining the number of candidates," said Jamiluddin, Friday, June 4.

In addition, he said, the desire of the two candidate pairs only perpetuates the big party. The reason is that small and medium parties are forced to follow the candidates promoted by the big parties. "As a result, the oligarchy will be stronger in Indonesia," he said.

According to him, the choice of the oligarchs will have implications for the quality of the candidates being promoted. Oligarchy will only carry the closest people even if they are not qualified.

"Meanwhile, the nation's children with quality and integrity who are far from the oligarchy are automatically eliminated. Access to leadership is closed," he said.

Moreover, he continued, the proposals for the two candidates were also not in line with democracy. Because voters in Indonesia are very heterogeneous.

"If there are only 2 pairs of candidates, it certainly does not reflect the voters," said Jamiluddin. For that, according to him, it should be given space for independent candidates from both the community and the DPD RI to strengthen democracy in Indonesia.

"In principle, the more candidates who come forward, will improve the quality of democracy. The people of Indonesia will be treated to diverse and quality candidates. This diversity allows the selection of the best candidates to lead Indonesia," said Jamiluddin.

Previously, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) wanted the 2024 presidential election to only be participated by two pairs of candidates. They will offer and build coalitions in order to narrow the chances of other parties carrying candidate pairs.

PDIP Secretary General Hasto Kristiyanto said his party also wants the 2024 presidential election to only be participated by two pairs of candidates so that it does not take two rounds.

"So we will build a coalition so that at least the next election will only be followed by two candidate pairs, there will not be two presidential elections, two rounds," said Hasto during a discussion held by the PARA Syndicate, Friday, May 28.

In fact, PDIP can nominate a candidate pair for the 2024 presidential election without having to form a coalition with other political parties. The ownership of PDIP seats has fulfilled the requirements based on Law Number 7 of 2017.