KPU a crisis-in-waiting<\/p>\n
Ong Hock Chuan
\nPartner
\nPT Maverick Solusi Komunikasi
\nJakarta<\/p>\n
Denial is the main cause of crises in organizations. If all
\nthe media reports about the General Elections Commission (KPU)
\nare even half right the KPU is exhibiting such behavior and
\ncourting a crisis when polling begins on April 5.<\/p>\n
Denial comes in many forms, among then are a refusal to
\nacknowledge the situation as it is, painting an overly optimistic
\npicture of a less-than-desirable situation, being defensive and
\nresorting to threats instead of acknowledging and working a
\nproblem out with its partners.<\/p>\n
A clear warning signal that the KPU may be acting in denial
\nwas sounded in the front page of Kompas daily newspaper on March
\n17 with the headline \"KPU's optimism needs some honesty\". The
\narticle quotes members of the Electoral Oversight Committee as
\nsaying that unless the KPU was more honest about its shortcomings
\nit would lead to a politicization of results even if there were
\nminor problems with the vote counting.<\/p>\n
The Committee also warned that KPU's excessive optimism would
\ndilute other parties' willingness to help KPU out of its
\nproblems.<\/p>\n
This is good advice that KPU should take. It is very clear
\nthat its behavior pattern is that of an organization in denial.
\nPersisting in this behavior will alienate whatever goodwill it
\nhas remaining and make it a sitting duck the moment the voting
\nprocess hits a glitch.<\/p>\n
It would not be so bad if the KPU were the only victim in the
\nprobable event of a vote count gone awry. Unfortunately, the
\nstakes are much, much higher. And there are serious doubts about
\nthe accuracy of the votes counted within the time frame promised
\nby the KPU there could be political mayhem.<\/p>\n
This is because the parties are now expecting the KPU's
\ncomputerized vote counting system to deliver 80 percent of the
\nresults within nine hours from the close of polling. This
\nprojection will therefore ultimately influence their choice for
\nthe presidential candidates.<\/p>\n
With so much at stake for the country the KPU should waste no
\ntime in taking stock of its own shortcomings and begin addressing
\nthem.<\/p>\n
One of the biggest favors it could do itself is to come clean
\nabout its deficiencies, set new and lower expectations by the
\npublic about its deliverables and ask for understanding and help.<\/p>\n
History has shown that the public is very willing to forgive
\nindividuals or organizations that act responsibly and openly,
\neven if they have committed a huge booboo. History also instructs
\nthat those who refuse to take responsibility for their actions
\nand act in denial remain unforgiving.<\/p>\n
John F. Kennedy's admission of a mistake over the Bay of Pigs
\nfiasco is an example of the former case. The American public not
\nonly forgave him but also continued to support him once he came
\nclean. Nixon's continued and persistent denials resulted in him
\nimpeached and disgraced.<\/p>\n
There is no shame for the KPU to admit if many of its
\nobjectives are falling behind schedule. Everyone knows that it is
\nno small task making the electoral system work because of
\nIndonesia's geography and demographics. There are over 145
\nmillion voters in 5,120 districts spread over 18,306 islands,
\nsome of which do not have even basic facilities such as
\nelectricity and telecommunications support.<\/p>\n
It is a big job, beyond the ability of a single agency. If the
\nKPU was open about how difficult it is, where it is falling
\nbehind and to ask for help it will receive at least the
\nunderstanding if not the help from organizations and individuals.<\/p>\n
The KPU should also start lowering the high expectations that
\nit has created for itself if there is a high likelihood that it
\ncannot meet its deadlines.<\/p>\n
This is especially important when it comes to the computerized
\nvote counting process because The KPU has given the impression in
\nits statements that the public can view the majority of the
\nresults in nine hours after polling closes on April 5.<\/p>\n
Given the KPU's track record, first with ballot boxes and now
\nwith managing its logistics, it is fair to question whether the
\nresults would be in by nine hours. It is also fair to question
\nwhether the computerized system is as secure from hackers, virus
\nattacks and vote manipulation as the KPU claims.<\/p>\n
Several IT observers have already pointed out that the
\npersonnel in charge of data entry and other facets of the
\ntechnology are not well trained. If they are correct, then the
\nKPU needs to be less optimistic about when it can deliver the
\nresults or the integrity of the vote counting process. It needs
\nto begin communicating and conditioning the public on this issue.
\nFailure to do so is to court the ire of the political parties and
\nthe public.<\/p>\n
The KPU has actually done quite well, given the fact that this
\nis but Indonesia's second round of free elections. It is
\ncertainly not perfect but right thinking people expect and can
\nforgive an organization for many inadequacies that come with
\ndoing something new. They, however, will not be so charitable if
\nthat organization has been misleading them with excessive
\noptimism and an inability to own up to the facts.<\/p>\n
There is more than two weeks to go for the KPU to manage
\nexpectations and get things right. It should seize this
\nopportunity to communicate well and reset expectations or face a
\ncrisis of its own making.<\/p>\n
Maverick is a public relations consultancy specializing in
\nissues and crisis management<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/kpu-a-crisis-in-waiting-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}