Election Requirements 2020 Can Use E-Voting

Illustrated (Irfan Meidianto / VOI)

JAKARTA - The General Election Commission (KPU) said it was not ready to carry out simultaneous regional elections 2020 by online or e-voting. The KPU will continue to vote as usual.

Perludem Executive Director Titi Anggraini said that actually the e-voting system can be implemented. This is because the Constitutional Court issued decision number 147 / PUU-VII / 2009 which accommodates e-voting based elections.

However, to implement e-voting, there are a number of conditions that must be met by election administrators. This requirement is not only preparing an electronic system. First, the basic requirement is public trust in the KPU's performance.

"The public must first believe that election administration officials are credible and they have sufficient knowledge about the technology to be used. Because, if the public is not satisfied or the election participants feel cheated, they can go to court to sue or electoral justice," said Titi when confirmed, Thursday, June 18.

Then, election organizers such as the KPU and the Election Supervisory Board (Bawaslu) must examine the e-voting system in depth. Coinciding with the COVID-19 event, the KPU must rethink whether the thing that is most needed is e-voting or not.

"This is the Pilkada in the midst of a pandemic. E-Voting is proposed so as not to crowd. Is it true that the solution is in technology? There must be a study and identification of the problem," said Titi.

"Perhaps, the solution is not e-voting technology. However, what is needed is a disciplinary protocol, then massive personal protective equipment and financial support to meet various health protocols," he continued.

After having thoroughly reviewed and decided that e-voting can be used in elections, there must be periodic and repeated trials. This is to see the extent of the election management's resources.

"Are we going to December 2020 enough to make sure officers and voters understand the use of the system? These voters are not only ordinary, but friends with disabilities must also make sure they can adapt to using this technology," said Titi.

Furthermore, the KPU must ensure the transparency of the system procurement process. Titi admitted that the price of technology equipment, both hardware and hardware, was relatively expensive.

"Do not let the large costs lead to corrupt practices, especially if it is done hastily, without a feasibility study and also a good study related to it," he concluded.