Dibalik Bilik | Kompetisi Watchdoc Festival 2024

Summary

The transcript details the challenges faced by Indonesia's election organizers (KPPS) during the 2024 General Election. With over 190 million voters, KPPS members are tasked with overseeing voting stations in intense conditions, often working 24-hour shifts. Many are elderly, leading to physical strain, and tragically, some have died due to the immense workload. Despite an increase in pay, it remains insufficient for the grueling work. The transcript highlights the rigorous selection criteria, the dedication of workers like Angel, and the systemic health and safety risks that need attention for future elections.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Indonesian general election is held every five years, involving millions of voters and polling stations across the country.
• 😀 The 2019 election saw over 190 million voters spread across 34 provinces, 514 cities, and 7,201 districts, making it a massive logistical challenge.
• 😀 The workload and long hours have resulted in health issues and fatalities among KPPS (Election Organizing Committee) members, especially those over 50 years old.
• 😀 The physical toll on KPPS members is a major concern, with election workers often enduring long shifts and minimal rest, which has led to deaths due to exhaustion.
• 😀 KPPS members are usually unpaid volunteers from the local community, and their compensation remains inadequate for the demanding work they perform.
• 😀 In the 2024 election, compensation for KPPS members has increased, but some workers still feel it does not reflect the true effort required for the job.
• 😀 KPPS members have to meet specific qualifications, including being between 17 and 55 years old, having no involvement with political parties for five years, and having a basic education.
• 😀 Election day activities are highly stressful and often extended due to factors like weather delays, administrative tasks, and human error during the voting and counting process.
• 😀 The election process requires KPPS members to be involved in extensive pre-election tasks, such as distributing voter notifications and handling ballots.
• 😀 Despite the challenges, many KPPS members, such as Angel, see their work as a civic duty and an opportunity to contribute positively to their country’s democratic process.
• 😀 Improvements in the election process, including better compensation and support for election workers, are necessary to ensure the sustainability and fairness of future elections.

Q & A

What is the role of KPPS in Indonesia's elections?

The KPPS (Kelompok Penyelenggara Pemungutan Suara) are the election committees responsible for organizing and overseeing the voting process at polling stations, including guiding voters to booths, ensuring proper voting procedures, and handling ballot boxes.

What were some of the challenges faced by KPPS members during the 2019 elections?

KPPS members faced several challenges, including long working hours, physical exhaustion, and a lack of rest. Some members reported working well past midnight, and many faced health risks due to the strenuous nature of their tasks.

How has the compensation for KPPS members changed for the 2024 elections?

In the 2024 elections, the compensation for KPPS members has increased. For example, the honorarium for the head of the KPPS has risen from 550,000 IDR to 1,200,000 IDR, a 100% increase, while other members' compensation also saw a similar increase.

Why did some KPPS members, like Abdon Remigius Raja, experience physical exhaustion during the 2019 elections?

Abdon Remigius Raja, like many other KPPS members, faced exhaustion due to long hours of work with little rest, often starting early in the morning and finishing late at night. Additionally, his age (65 years) contributed to the physical strain.

What were the reasons behind the increase in compensation for KPPS members in 2024?

The increase in compensation was intended to better match the heavy workload of KPPS members and to address the financial burden of their long hours, which are often exacerbated by logistical issues and challenging conditions such as weather and human errors.

How did Angel's role as a part-time PAUD operator relate to her work as a KPPS member?

Angel worked as a part-time PAUD operator due to the difficulty in finding full-time employment. She also took on the role of a KPPS member as a civic duty, demonstrating her willingness to contribute to the democratic process despite limited job opportunities.

What criteria must individuals meet to become KPPS members?

To become a KPPS member, individuals must be between 17 and 55 years old, in good physical and mental health, possess at least a high school diploma (or be able to read and write), and not be involved with a political party for at least five years.

What was the significance of the Bimtek (training) for KPPS members?

The Bimtek (training) provided essential instructions on the technical aspects of election day, ensuring that KPPS members understood their duties, such as directing voters, handling ballots, and following election procedures accurately and efficiently.

What logistical tasks did KPPS members handle before the election day?

Before election day, KPPS members were responsible for tasks such as writing and delivering voter invitation letters, updating voter information, and ensuring that all necessary materials were ready for election day.

How did weather conditions, such as heavy rain, impact the work of KPPS members during the election?

Severe weather, like heavy rain, delayed some KPPS operations, including voter transportation and the completion of vote counting. For instance, Angel's polling station had to postpone work until the weather improved, which extended the overall election process.