The discourse on postponing the 2024 election has become a polemic. Ballot Paper Illustration. Photo: Ricardo/JPNN.com
jpnn.com – The Indonesian election Supervisory agency (Bawaslu) discovered that there were voters who received two ballot papers in the 2024 regional elections in Cianjur, West Java.
The Coordinator of the Prevention, Participation and Public Relations Division of Bawaslu RI, Lolly Suhenty, explained that this happened because the ballot papers were stuck so that an accidental error occurred.
“The paper was stuck on. he had already voted twice, it was stuck on, it happened in Cianjur. It was stuck on, when he was about to put it in he was discovered. Why is that? I don’t know, he gave me two. So, it stuck. Because I was given two, so I voted for two. However, , it hasn’t been in the box yet,” said Lolly, imitating the voter’s voice at the Lagoi Hotel, Bintan Island, Riau islands, Tuesday (3/12).
He explained that the supervisory members at that time managed to prevent only one vote from being put into the box and the other one was counted as a damaged letter.
Thus, on the basis of unintentional re-voting (PSU) cannot be carried out.
“After being identified, it was unintentional. So,he was accidentally caught. So for incidents like this, the PSU’s recommendation was not to carry out,” he continued.
According to Lolly, another reason the PSU was not carried out was as the right to vote was not violated because one ballot was put in the box.
This means, said Lolly, that there is already prevention that can be carried out by Bawaslu RI in Cianjur, West Java.
The Indonesian Election Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) discovered that there were voters who received two paper ballots in the 2024 regional elections in Cianjur, West Java
How does Bawaslu RI ensure the integrity of the electoral process during regional elections?
Interview with Lolly Suhenty – Coordinator of the Prevention,Participation and public Relations Division of Bawaslu RI
Editor: Welcome,Lolly Suhenty. Thank you for joining us today to discuss the recent revelation of voting irregularities in Cianjur, West Java, during the 2024 regional elections. Can you explain what happened with the double ballot situation?
Lolly Suhenty: Thank you for having me. In Cianjur, our monitoring revealed that a voter accidentally received two ballot papers.This occurred due to the ballots getting stuck together. When the individual attempted to cast their vote, it was discovered that they had two ballots in hand.
Editor: That sounds concerning. How did the election supervisors handle this issue once it was discovered?
Lolly Suhenty: Our supervisory members acted quickly. They managed to prevent the second ballot from being put into the ballot box. The first ballot was counted while the second was deemed a damaged letter. Importantly, we recognized this was an unintentional error.
Editor: Given the situation, there were discussions about conducting a revote or PSU (pengundian Suara Ulang). Why was it decided that a revote was not necesary in this case?
Lolly Suhenty: The decision was based on two key factors. First, the right to vote was not violated, as one ballot was successfully cast. Secondly, as this was an accidental occurrence, we determined that a revote would not serve a purpose under these circumstances. Therefore, we did not recommend a PSU.
Editor: What implications do these findings have for the integrity of the 2024 elections in Indonesia?
Lolly Suhenty: Incidents like this highlight the importance of robust systems for monitoring and managing voting processes. This particular case demonstrates that while challenges may arise, effective oversight can mitigate potential integrity issues. It reinforces the need for ongoing education and training for election officials to manage such scenarios proactively.
Editor: How can voters ensure their rights are protected during elections?
Lolly Suhenty: Voters should be aware of their voting procedures and report any irregularities they encounter. It’s crucial to stay informed about their rights and engage with local election supervisors if they face issues at polling stations. By participating actively and staying vigilant, they contribute to enhancing the electoral process.
Editor: what practical advice can you offer to Bawaslu and other election oversight agencies to prevent similar situations in future elections?
Lolly Suhenty: continuous training and betterment of electoral processes are essential.We should invest in better ballot paper quality and enhanced voting technologies to prevent mechanical errors.Additionally,conducting regular simulations and drills can prepare our supervisors and ensure they respond effectively in real voting scenarios.
Editor: Thank you, Lolly, for sharing your insights today. It’s crucial for both voters and the election process to be safeguarded, and your expertise is invaluable as we approach the 2024 elections.
Lolly Suhenty: Thank you for having me. It’s vital that everyone has confidence in the electoral process, and we at Bawaslu are committed to ensuring that happens.