Supporting the Integrity of State Civil Apparatus in the 2024 Regional Elections in Indonesia
By : Rizky Pratama )*
The 2024 Regional Head Election is getting closer and all parties are encouraged to make this agenda a success, including the State Civil Service. With the full support of ASN through the professionalism and integrity of ASN, it is hoped that the implementation of the Pilkada can run safely and smoothly.
In facing the 2024 regional elections, improving the integrity of civil servants is one of the government’s main focuses to ensure a fair and transparent election process. Strong integrity of state civil servants is needed to maintain neutrality, avoid abuse of authority, and prevent corrupt practices and nepotism that can damage public trust in the democratic system.
This effort not only aims to create clean and honest regional elections, but also to strengthen the foundations of a government that is accountable and responsive to the needs of the community.
Acting Governor of Central Java Komjen Pol (P) Drs. Nana Sudjana A.S., M.M., conveyed a clear and firm message to all ASN in Central Java Province. On several occasions, he emphasized that ASN must remain neutral and not be involved in practical political activities, including joining political parties or conducting campaigns. This confirmation was conveyed after inaugurating thousands of ASN within the Central Java Provincial Government, with the hope of creating a conducive atmosphere free from conflicts of interest during the Pilkada.
Efforts to maintain the neutrality of the Rini apparatus are carried out with various preventive measures. Socialization regarding the neutrality of the state civil apparatus will continue to be intensified. Apart from that, a letter and integrity pact will be signed. The Acting Governor also confirmed that these efforts have been implemented in the 2024 General Election, and will continue to be maximized during the upcoming Regional Election. In this way, the integrity of the state civil apparatus can be maintained, and elections can take place fairly and transparently.
However, efforts to maintain the neutrality of state officials are not without challenges. Regarding the violation of neutrality, the Acting Governor stated that his party was still coordinating with the central government. This coordination is important to determine the types of violations that must be anticipated and how they should be handled.
Not only in Central Java, similar challenges are also faced by ASN in various other regions. In Bengkalis Regency, for example, the Chair of the Bengkalis Regency Bawaslu, Usman, reminded officials to always maintain neutrality in the implementation of the 2024 Simultaneous Regional Elections.
Usman emphasized that various forms of violations of the neutrality of civil servants must be avoided in order to realize clean and democratic regional elections. In a meeting with the Regent of Bengkalis, Usman expressed the importance of support from the Bengkalis Regency Government to ensure the neutrality of state civil servants during regional head elections.
Socialization regarding matters that fall into the category of non-neutrality of the apparatus in regional elections must also continue to be intensified. The Regional Secretary of Central Java Province, Sumarno, added that many state officials may not understand whether their actions fall into the neutral category or not. Therefore, intensive and clear socialization is very necessary. Don’t let the apparatus’ lack of understanding of neutrality rules cause them to be caught in violations.
Chairman of the Central Java Election Supervisory Body, Muhammad Amin, emphasized that the neutrality of the state civil apparatus is one of the challenges that must be faced during the Pilkada stages. To overcome this challenge, Bawaslu continues to coordinate with the Central Java Provincial Government to maintain the neutrality of the apparatus. Apart from that, supervision also involves the community, academics, students and other parties to ensure that the regional elections run well.
All parties, including the government, election supervisors and the community, must play an active role in monitoring and supporting this process. In this way, the 2024 regional elections can produce quality regional leaders who are able to bring progress to society.
Maintaining the neutrality of the state civil apparatus in the 2024 Simultaneous Regional Elections is a big challenge that must be faced with seriousness and high commitment. All parties, from local government, Bawaslu, to the community, must collaborate to ensure that officials can carry out their duties with integrity and professionalism. Let us work together to maintain the neutrality of the civil apparatus in order to create regional elections that are fair, democratic and bring progress to the nation.
)* The author is a contributor to the Persada Institute
