Through its Election Corner, the UGM Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIPOL) hosted a thought-provoking discussion titled “FISIPOL UGM’s Political Voice for Quality Democracy” on Tuesday (Jan. 30) in the Dean’s Meeting Room.
This gathering brought together scholars and journalists to brainstorm solutions to enhance the current state of democracy and elections in Indonesia.
Four speakers, along with the audience, delved into various pressing issues, including concerns regarding the neutrality of state apparatus, the integrity of election organizers, the role of civil society, and the impact of social media, which serves as a battleground for campaigns but is also plagued by the spread of hoaxes, misinformation, and identity politicization.
“Our democracy is experiencing a notable contraction due to the ongoing electoral process. There are pressing matters to address, such as upholding the integrity of elections as a vital pillar for sustaining democracy within a framework of integrity,” stated Dr. Wawan Mas’udi, the Dean of FISIPOL, in his opening remarks.
Dr. Kuskridho Ambardi underscored that election quality can serve as a barometer for assessing the state of democracy. Dr. Ambardi noted that the presidential election exhibited the lowest quality among the five elections held in Indonesia.
The prelude to this year’s presidential election has already stirred numerous controversies, potentially eroding public trust in the electoral process.
“There’s a looming risk of heightened public dissatisfaction. Due to perceived biases and a lack of neutrality, observers fear that the current elections may not meet the standards set by previous ones,” he remarked.
Dr. Abdul Gaffar Karim shed light on election organizers, suggesting that they are disengaged from civil society and overly aligned with political parties and legislative bodies, compromising their independence.
“Proximity often breeds bias, posing a threat to neutrality. However, political parties are integral participants in elections, and legislative bodies emerge from the electoral process,” explained Dr. Karim.
In this context, he stressed the imperative of safeguarding elections, which he described as the last bastion of democracy in Indonesia.
“This must be safeguarded. Failure to do so could endanger the future of our democracy, leading to not just a loss of essence but also a loss of legitimacy,” Dr. Karim cautioned.
Dr. Mada Sukmajati drew parallels between Indonesia’s current political landscape and a similar scenario in the Philippines during the 2022 elections, characterized by nepotism and dynasty politics.
However, Dr. Sukmajati noted a crucial distinction: the Philippines experienced minimal direct interference from incumbent leaders at the time.
“There was no constitutional meddling and relatively limited exploitation of existing resources. While they did secure a resounding victory, they are now grappling with a crisis,” Dr. Sukmajati elaborated.
Author: Gloria
Photographer: Donnie