TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The head of the General Elections Commission or KPU Hasyim Asy’ari denied that the recent election was the worst post-Soeharto regime. “I don’t think so, [but] whether [the election] was good or bad I can’t judge by myself,” Hasyim told Tempo on Thursday, Feb. 22.

However, according to Hasyim, regime change brings about what is known as protest voting, where people “came in flock to participate in the election”.

"Protest voting is not always negative. The spirit of people to participate in elections, to be critical, to be present, whatever the form of participation, usually occurs when there is a change of regime," said Hasyim.

Hasyim also assessed that so far, public participation in the elections has been exemplary. "The enthusiasm of people to 'Let's observe the election' is extraordinary," said Hasyim.

In other situations, some protests about the election process occurred, alleging the election to be marred with issues. For Hasyim, the protest was not bad. In fact, he said, the presidential debate was in turn caused public discourses that lasted for up to a week. "Meaning, there was enthusiasm [about the election]," he said.

One of the people who called this election the worst was a political science lecturer at the National Development University or UPN Veteran Jakarta, Damar Juniarto. He admitted that he was concerned about the condition of democracy ahead of the 2024 Election.

"Compared to previous election periods, also what we see today is an election that according to my personal notes is the worst and terrible because we are at the lowest nadir," said Damar a few weeks ago on Tuesday, Feb. 6.

Protests against the election emerged after the Constitutional Court ruling on the presidential age limit, deemed to be a red carpet for Gibran Rakabuming Raka to be nominated as vice president.

IKHSAN RELIUBUN

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