REVOTING (PSU) for the 2024 Legislative Election in several locations on Saturday (13/7) was low on interest. This was predictable considering the euphoria of inviting voters to come to the polling stations (TPS) was not as lively as in February 2024. This was conveyed by the Director of the Democracy and Electoral Empowerment Partnership (DEEP) Neni Nur Hayati.
“The euphoria of the election is gone so voters are reluctant to come even though the government has issued a circular,” he told Media Indonesia, Sunday (14/7).
In addition to the euphoria issue, she assessed that the phenomenon of few voters during the PSU was also caused by the lack of socialization carried out by the General Election Commission (KPU). For Neni, the PSU activity based on the Constitutional Court’s decision should be able to embrace all levels of society.
“However, if the KPU lacks innovation and creativity to invite voters to return to the TPS, this will also be difficult to do,” explained Neni.
On the other hand, the ban on candidates campaigning ahead of the PSU is also suspected to be a driving force behind the low participation of the public in coming to the TPS. Moreover, not all voters are aware of the PSU in their area. Neni said that in addition to low participation, the PSU also has the potential to cause invalid ballots.
The regions that held massive PSU on Saturday (13/7) were all regencies/cities in West Sumatra Province. Voters registered on the West Sumatra permanent voter list (DPT) must return to the TPS to cast one ballot, namely the Regional Representative Council (DPD) Legislative Election.
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The PSU throughout West Sumatra was made possible because Irman Gusman filed a dispute over the 2024 Election results with the Constitutional Court because his name was previously crossed out by the KPU as a participant in the DPD election for the West Sumatra electoral district. Even though he was included in the PSU, Irman was still not allowed to campaign based on the provisions of Article 98 of KPU Regulation Number 25/2023.
The lack of interest in TPS during the West Sumatra PSU occurred in Bukittinggi, for example at TPS 07 Sarojo, Mandiangin Koto Selayan District. Of the 257 voters recorded in the DPT, only 67 voters were present. Meanwhile, at TPS 09 Guguk Randah, only 56 voters out of 268 DPT were present.
KPU RI member Betty Epsilon Idroos who came directly to West Sumatra to monitor the PSU process explained that her party had done various ways to increase voter participation. For example, Betty continued, announcing PSU activities through mosque speakers.
“Also, with students (who are) doing KKN (real work lectures) using motorbikes and pedicabs to go around reminding the community to come to the TPS,” explained Betty.
“But it all depends on the community to want to come to the TPS,” he concluded. (P-5)
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