Voting Rights of Indonesian Trans Women; KPU Explains Issues on Transgender Group in Elections

Trans women are worried they would be made fun of when they arrive at polling stations because they look different. How does the KPU ensure that TPS (polling stations) can accept all people?

This is an input for us. We will coordinate this issue. In one TPS, there are seven KPPS (voting groups) and two security officers. There will also be witnesses from political parties and TPS supervisors. Throughout my nine years in Jakarta, I have never found (trans women who were treated badly at TPS). If there is, please let me know where it is. That will be our concern in serving voters because it is our duty to help voters.

Is there a special program to facilitate transgender groups so polling stations can be a more friendly environment for them?

There is. We have dissemination programs per segmentation. For example, for groups of women, youth, community leaders, religious leaders, or marginalized people. This categorization is to ease us in conveying [our message]. Because, for each segmentation, there is a different delivery method, what content is most appropriate, and when can be done.

Take the example of the youth group who prefer times in the afternoon after school hours. Trans women are given the time at the end of the week. How we disseminate the materials are also different as many terms are unfamiliar to them. We can’t use strict language such as “use your right to vote.” The approach to them does not use standard language. This method was used in two general elections and regional elections in Jakarta in the past two terms. 

In fact, we never differentiate between them if they want to register as election organizers. As long as they are over 17 years old, have never participated in a political party in the last five years proven by documents, and must pass a test. So, there is no problem if they want to participate as ad hoc organizers which will be opened. There is no obstacle to being a participant in the election. I've never heard (of trans women issues) being such a big case.

To prevent discrimination, is there any dissemination about gender equality from the KPU to polling station officers?

There is no special technical guidance for the inclusivity of this group. We serve the election with the same equality principle. Voters may enter the voting stations starting at 07:00. The disabled people which include people with visual imparity, and mental disabilities, as well as deaf and mute people, will get special assistance. But the transgenders will not need special assistance. What is important is that no one is making fun of them. That is the standard.     

The racial, religious, and intergroup issues are under our consideration when we provide technical guidance to the ad hoc officers. So far, that’s what we do. But there is no specific guidance for transgenders as we see them as other human beings.

Several regions have discriminative regional regulations against transgender groups. These regulations make them afraid of expressing themselves, including visiting the polling sites. How to handle that matter? They already have ID cards and are willing to vote but they’re afraid of getting stigmatized. 

There is no such limitation in election regulation. If there are other restrictions, there will be no difference. We’ll serve them as voters. At polling stations, they are the same. We serve professionally, there is no gender difference. As long as you have an ID card and are listed as a voter, you have the right to vote from 07:00-13:00.

Now, we only need to assure them. If they have no courage to go out, our task is to convince them to come to polling sites happily, proudly, and gladly to participate. In our technical guidance, we never differentiate people with such categorization. They are Indonesian citizens and they have the right to vote.

In several regions, trans women are often involved by political parties to join their campaigns. Meanwhile, on the other hand, they have no access to vote as they don’t have ID cards. What is KPU’s stance regarding this?

Political parties hold a campaign to promote their images as well as their visions and missions. We definitely cannot restrict them if they do it creatively. They may involve public figures, entertainers or celebrities, or even the transgender community. Go ahead and do it. Our task is only to regulate the dos and don’ts. So, what they do is fine.

Is there any special technical material about gender for the ad hoc officers?

For KPU in cities/regencies and provinces, there are issues of women and gender, while for ad hoc staffers, it’s more to technical things on the field. For example, the unlisted voters that want to register. More about such stuff.

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