Regional Election and Covid-19: Evidence in Central Kalimantan

Abstract

On December 9, 2020, people in Indonesia, especially in Central Kalimantan, participated in holding regional head elections simultaneously. In the Regional Election (Pilkada) on December 9 in Kalimantan, there were 2 elections, namely the regional head election for the governor and Deputy Governor of Central Kalimantan for the period 2021-2025 and the election for the regional head of the Regent/Deputy Regent for the period 2021-2025 in East Kotawaringin Regency. The hustle and bustle of implementing the simultaneous regional elections on 9 December 2020 has differences from the previous regional head elections, this is because the implementation of the 9 December 2020 regional elections was held amid the pandemic threat of covid-19 (coronavirus disease -19). Even though it went through a long process, the pros and cons covered the election policy for the simultaneous regions, in the end, the elections were still held on December 9, 2020. Apart from Central Kalimantan, in Indonesia alone, there were around 270 regions that held simultaneous regional elections on 9 December 2020. The study in this paper wants to know how the regional head elections are held in Central Kalimantan, especially in the city of Palangka Raya. This is because Palangka Raya City has a history of the highest confirmed area of Covid-19 transmission. Besides, Palangka Raya as the capital of Central Kalimantan Province is a barometer of seeing the succession of simultaneous regional elections in Central Kalimantan. In its implementation, the Central Kalimantan Pilkada in Palangka Raya went well. The voter turnout in Palangka Raya City reached 63%. What is unique is that the regional elections in Central Kalimantan have increased participation amid a pandemic compared to the 2015 regional elections which were held in conditions without a pandemic. Even though the overall participation is below the target of the KPU RI, this increase needs to be appreciated.

The Metanarrative of Pandemic Politics: Indonesian Regional Head Elections Cases

“…health [56]. A relatively similar study in Central Kalimantan also shows that more than 50% of the people agree that the local elections will be carried out with strict health protocols [57]. Of course, the Covid-19 pandemic is still a mystification for some people, so they are sceptical of media coverage, on the other hand, people are used to elections.…”

Merebut Hati Pemilih di Masa Pandemi Covid-19: Strategi Kampanye Pilkada 2020 di Pulau Lombok

“…Daerah lain yang menyelenggarakan Pilkada serentak pun melakukan hal yang serupa. Di Palangka Raya, pelaksanaan Pilkada di daerah tersebut berjalan dengan baik karena proses Pilkada dilaksanakan dengan mengikuti protokol kesehatan secara ketat (Haridison et al, 2021). Pelaksanaan Pilkada 2020 mengacu aturan yang telah dikeluarkan oleh Komisi Pemilihan Umum selaku penyelenggara Pilkada yaitu PKPU No.…”

Electoral Politics Amidst Pandemic: The Challenges and Risks

“…There are some relevant studies on election during crisis in developing countries particularly in Indonesia. For example, a study found that regional election during the pandemic in Central Kalimantan even increased more participants compare to elections before the pandemic [31]. Another similar study proposes that the government should prepare a rigid health protocol for running elections to prevent the spread of virus [32].…”