Reliability of Local Democracy Tested

Most preparations for the 2018 regional elections have been completed. The challenge lies in the strength of the democratic system, such as money politics and the neutrality of the organizers and the state apparatus.

KOMPAS/RONY ARIYANTO NUGROHO

Officers of the Pamijahan district polling committee (PPK) in Bogor regency, West Java, arrange a ballot boxes on Sunday (24/6/2018). The regency is prepared for the upcoming simultaneous regional elections and materials have been distributed to all local PPKs.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS – The reliability of democracy at the local level will be tested during the third simultaneous regional head elections, which will be held on Wednesday.

Although the entire procedural process is mostly ready, the democratic aspect of the regional elections in 2018 will affected by money politics, organizational neutrality and civil state apparatuses – and conflicts over voting results.