Public Perception of the Implementation of Simultaneous Regional Head Election 2020 during Covid-19 Pandemic in Palangkaraya Regency

Abstract

Central Kalimantan is one of the provinces in Indonesia will implement the Regional Election simultaneously on December 9, 2020. There are 2 (two) Regional Elections, they are Governor and Deputy, and Mayor and Deputy in Kotawaringin Timur Regency. On December 2020, at least 270 Regions would participate to Regional Elections in Indonesia, including provincials, Regencies, and Cities. The democracy atmosphere implementation would be different from previous over the years due to COVID-19 Pandemic as its prediction. This research aims to disclose Palangka Raya Public Perceptions of Regional Election in Covid-19 Pandemic recently. Majority Respondents agree to implement the Regional Election in Palangka Raya on December 9. Furthermore, The Regional Election could be implemented by following the Protocol Health Procedures with safe and healthy against Covid-19.

Social media and election under covid-19 pandemic in Malang regency Indonesia

“…The data of observations show that direct campaign was still employed, although in limited conditions, both in the number of participants and in campaign props. This is in line with what Sandi and Suprayitno mentioned in their research in Palangkaraya that online and offline socialization in the simultaneous elections of 9 December 2020 is a vital need [17]. This indicates that both the societies and election participants complied with the recommendations and provisions issued by the election management commission.…”

“…Research related to elections during the COVID-19 pandemic shows that: election organizers in countries holding general elections during the COVID-19 pandemic face various emerging challenges [19], therefore the elections during the pandemic are carried out by implementing strict health protocols and campaigns are prohibited from gathering large numbers of people [21], [22]; during the covid-19 pandemic campaigns involving large masses are limited and must comply with health protocols [17], [18], [19]; the politician or candidates using social and mass media in conveying information and campaigns [31]; using newspapers, radio, and television to carry out campaigns or outreach to the public [17], [20], [23], [24]; webinars or online seminars are less attractive to the public in the context of regional elections in the midst of a pandemic [20]; elections must be held in a conducive socio-political environment, [10], [12]; the impact of the pandemic can worsen the democratic situation in countries that have experienced democratic erosion [8], even though the disaster had no impact on the incumbent's popularity [29]; furthermore, the general election in Indonesia after the New Order was colored by money politics due to the high competition between candidates [30], [31].…”

“…The total regions that will conduct simultaneous regional head elections in 2020 are 270 regions with 9 provinces, 224 regencies, and 37 cities [21]. Even though the COVID-19 pandemic is still happening, the majority of the people agreed to hold the Pilkada on December 9, 2020, although with a note that health protocol procedures are expected to be implemented in the Pilkada [17]. The election during the COVID-19 pandemic, socializing about voting procedures is a big challenge for the election committee.…”

“…With the new election rules in the pandemic era, the KPU and election participants are trying to maximize the digital campaign model by utilizing various digital platforms such as social media. In addition, coalition parties also take advantage of mass media channels, such as newspapers, radio, and television to carry out campaigns or outreach to the public [17], [20], [23], [24]. Through these various social media platforms, organizers can socialize the implementation of the election and educate or provide political education to the public.…”

Student Selective Perception of The Anti-Corruption Campaign on Facebook

“…Knowledge, experience, and socio-cultural orientation will define image and perspective of the problems. The difference of experience, analyzing and knowledge, and an individual framework describes the result of perception among individuals that are different (Sandi, Suprayitno, & Jaya, 2020). Perception is a process by which individuals organize and interpret their sensory impressions in order to give meaning to their environment (Robbins & Judge, 2013:166).…”