Jakarta Gubernatorial Election Faces Legitimacy Concerns Due to Low Voter Turnout
The legitimacy of the upcoming Jakarta gubernatorial election has been called into question due to record-low voter participation. Basri Baco, Secretary of the
RIDO Team, voiced concerns that the eventual winner may lack genuine legitimacy, reflecting the voices of only a fraction of Jakarta’s residents.
A Historic Low in Voter Engagement
According to Baco, Jakarta’s 2024 gubernatorial election has witnessed the lowest voter turnout in the region’s history. While official figures are yet to be released, initial data suggests a participation rate of roughly 50 percent, a significant drop compared to previous elections.
“We all know that participation is very low, in fact, only around 50 percent less, and this is recorded as the lowest participation in the history of regional elections in DKI Jakarta,” Basri Baco said at the DPD Golkar Jakarta Office in Cikini, Central Jakarta, on Monday, December 2nd, 2024.
“If public participation is very low, it could be said that whoever wins this Pilkada has little or no legitimacy, because it can only be chosen by a quarter of Jakarta residents,” he added.
The Impact on Election Outcomes
Baco’s concerns highlight the potential ramifications of a low voter turnout. He pointed out that with approximately 8 million registered voters in Jakarta, only half participated in the election. Considering the requirement for a minimum of 50 percent plus one vote for victory, the winning candidate might only represent a quarter of the eligible voters.
“Based on temporary data, there are approximately 8 million DPTs from Jakarta, only half of them voted, and only half of them voted. And the winner, if it has to be 50 percent plus one, means a quarter,” he explained.
“So the legitimacy of the gubernatorial candidate or elected governor is only approximately a quarter of the DPT who voted, so in our opinion, if this happens then the legitimacy is very weak,” he said.
A History of Decreasing Participation
This year’s turnout marks a worrying trend of declining voter participation in Jakarta’s elections. The 2017 regional elections saw a participation rate of 70 percent, while recent surveys by Charta Politika have shown that only 58 percent of registered voters participated in the recent Jakarta Pilkada. According to the Indonesian Survey Institute, the participation rate in the Jakarta Pilkada reached 69.57 percent.
The RIDO Team’s statement highlights a crucial debate surrounding the legitimacy and representativeness of elections with low voter participation. While the democratic process must continue, fostering higher civic engagement is essential for ensuring that elected officials truly reflect the will of the people.
What are the specific factors contributing to public discontent with the political landscape in Jakarta?
## Jakarta Election: Low Turnout Raises Legitimacy Concerns
**Host:** Welcome back to the show. Today we’re discussing the recent Jakarta gubernatorial election and the concerns surrounding its low voter turnout. Joining us is Basri Baco, Secretary of the RIDO Team, who has been closely following the situation. Mr. Baco, thank you for being here.
**Basri Baco:** It’s a pleasure to be here.
**Host:** The election has been described as having the lowest voter turnout in Jakarta’s history. Can you elaborate on that?
**Basri Baco:** Yes, the preliminary data suggests that only about 50% of eligible voters participated in this election. [[1](https://jakartaglobe.id/news/jakartas-2024-gubernatorial-election-sees-record-low-turnout-amid-public-discontent)] This is a significant drop compared to previous elections, and it’s alarming because it indicates a growing disconnect between the Jakarta electorate and its political elites.
**Host:** What are the implications of such low voter turnout for the legitimacy of the election and the eventual winner?
**Basri Baco:** This is a serious concern. When a significant portion of the population chooses not to participate, it raises questions about whether the winner truly represents the will of the people. It’s possible that the elected official will be seen as lacking legitimacy, reflecting the views of only a fraction of Jakarta’s residents.
**Host:** What factors could have contributed to this historic low turnout?
**Basri Baco:** There are several possible reasons. Public discontent with the political landscape, a lack of compelling candidates, and even issues with voter registration could be playing a role.
**Host:** What can be done to address this issue and encourage greater voter participation in the future?
**Basri Baco:**
Addressing this requires a multi-faceted approach. We need to tackle the underlying issues that fuel public apathy, promote greater transparency and accountability from our political leaders, and make the voting process more accessible and engaging for citizens.
**Host:** Mr. Baco, thank you for sharing your insights on this crucial issue. We’ll continue to follow developments surrounding the Jakarta gubernatorial election closely.
**Basri Baco:** Thank you for having me.
