Maintain the Spirit of General Elections

Elections are only a fragile instrument of democracy and therefore should not be expected to be like a "magic box" for the realization of political democracy, let alone social democracy.

Kompas/Heru Sri Kumoro

A mural about a general election initiated by the General Election Commission (KPU) on a wall fence on Jalan Kebon Jahe, Tangerang City, Banten, Wednesday (25/3/2020).

General elections are a common space for citizens to decide who will run the government. This is with the assumption that a qualified candidate is elected. Implicitly, elections are also a medium to get rid of those who are incompetent in the arena of power. In reality, elections are still a fragile instrument. A qualified candidate (person or political party) does not always win the elections. This is why some incumbents who are considered problematic have a great chance of being reelected.

In such a situation, the competition is choosing the lesser of two evils. Or, in a different situation, the elections are a space to contest "from and for" the political elite. The political elite here is understood not only by politicians but also holders of capital who are also directly involved in becoming politicians, even through their proxies. Accepting a situation like this of course has a price. The risk of decreasing the legitimacy of the elected government, waning confidence in the implementation of democracy or even the principles of democracy itself. This risk needs to be mitigated. Strengthening the elections is a necessity.