UGM has affirmed its readiness to host the general elections on campus. Even before the national election scheduled for Feb. 14, 2024, this readiness has reached 95 percent.
The university’s readiness is showcased by establishing nine special polling stations (TPS) across five locations to accommodate students unable to vote in their hometowns.
These special stations cater to UGM students and students from 12 other universities in Yogyakarta, all encompassed within these special TPS.
Among the designated locations are Ratnaningsih Kinanti 1 Dormitory, housing TPS 901 and 902 with 589 voters; Ratnaningsih Kinanti 2 & 3 Dormitories hosting TPS 903 and TPS 904 with 584 voters; Ratnaningsih Sendowo Dormitory comprising TPS 922 and TPS 923 with 509 voters, Darmaputera Santren Dormitory featuring TPS 905 and TPS 906 with 590 voters, and Darmaputera Karanggayam Dormitory with 280 voters.
“In total, there are 2,611 voters assigned to these 9 TPS situated in student dormitories,” revealed Dr. Hempri Suyatna, Secretary of the UGM Directorate of Student Affairs, during a discussion titled “UGM Safeguarding the Elections” on Wednesday (Feb. 7).
To ensure smooth proceedings at these TPS, Dr. Suyatna mentioned the formation of KPPS (polling station working group), comprising 63 student members. Additionally, two security personnel will be stationed at each TPS in collaboration with Catur Tunggal District.
In terms of oversight, an independent monitoring team has been assembled, with one team designated for each TPS. A total of 36 student supervisors will be deployed, with four assigned to each TPS.
The number of these supervisors results from a selection process from 273 applicants. Of 273 applicants, 235 students passed the administrative selection, and the final selection accepted 36 students.
“The enthusiasm of students to become independent supervisors formed by UGM is extraordinary. They have high motivation to ensure that democracy runs smoothly, and before going to the field, they have also received guidance and briefing from the Yogyakarta Election Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu),” he explained.
Dr. Arie Sujito, UGM Vice-Rector for Student Affairs, Community Service, and Alumni, emphasized that these nine TPS aim to accommodate students who cannot return to their hometowns while also serving as an educational platform.
“Because besides voting, they are involved as officials, and some become supervisors, so in this way, we will make special TPS a meaningful learning media,” Dr. Sujito said.
Special TPS is not only for UGM students but also for students from surrounding universities who do not meet the quota to establish special TPS.
These TPS are inclusive because twelve universities are included, including Poltekesyo, STIKes Panti Rapih, STPMD Yogyakarta, STIM YKPN, National Institute of Technology Yogyakarta, UII, UPN Veteran Yogyakarta, and others.
With these special TPS, according to Dr. Sujito, the university has a moral responsibility for a healthy, clean election without irregularities or vote-buying.
These special TPS also prove the theory and hypothesis that universities can conduct honest and fair elections. Therefore, the nine special TPS at UGM are considered an experiment.
For Dr. Wawan Mas’udi, Dean of the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, special TPS represents the university’s initiative to uphold democracy’s grassroots quality. It is crucial that every voter, irrespective of background, is given optimal facilitation to ensure their voice is heard.
“At the grassroots level, it’s about the people’s voice. UGM’s message is clear: every voter, regardless of their status, deserves the utmost facilitation,” he concluded.
Author: Agung Nugroho
Photographer: Donnie