People's democracy<\/p>\n
The preservation of our new found democracy rests on making the
\nprocess and system relevant to the people.<\/p>\n
Pro-democracy activists can shout and clamor for it as much as
\nthey want, but without witnessing the fruits of a democratic
\nsystem, democracy will be a fleeting slogan.<\/p>\n
The free and fair elections of 1999 and 2004 were a giant leap
\nof faith for the Indonesian people. They embraced a system which
\nhad been shunned for over four decades.<\/p>\n
Starting today the nation engages in a process which promises
\nto deepen and institutionalize democratic traditions at the
\ngrassroots level.<\/p>\n
The start of local administrative elections is an exciting,
\nexhilarating, yet worrisome process all at the same time.<\/p>\n
Watching history unfold and being part of a practice which
\nwill shape the future of the country is an exciting event many of
\nus thought would never occur.<\/p>\n
The exhilaration of having direct input in the making of local
\ngovernment and having our aspirations listened to is another
\nluxury which was unthinkable less than a decade ago.<\/p>\n
But the outcome rarely meets the promise. If that is the case
\nin our fledgling democracy, then the start of the local elections
\nis a harbinger of tough times ahead. Combined with the potential
\nfor local clashes, vote buying and ballot fraud, the coming
\nheadache sometimes does not seem worth the trouble.<\/p>\n
But without this process -- a painful learning experience in
\nits initial stages -- many of the ideals sought post-reformasi
\nwill be difficult to realize.<\/p>\n
Accountability is one of the fundamental tenets of a
\ndemocratic system. Local elections allows for the governed to
\njudge for themselves whether those elevated to positions of power
\nhave done what is asked of them.<\/p>\n
Local elections also provide a sense of identity for the
\nhundreds of millions scattered across the archipelago. Through
\nthe elections they can sense that they are part of the process of
\ngovernment and politics usually dominated by the elite in
\nJakarta.<\/p>\n
A less noticeable, but important outgrowth of local elections
\nis that it infuses democratic habits in the people at the lowest
\nlevel, which in turn constructs the single strongest roadblock
\ntoward a reversion to totalitarian ways.<\/p>\n
Once people have tasted and practiced their democratic rights
\nit will be difficult for them to willingly waive them.<\/p>\n
Much of the onus now rests on the local election commissions,
\nand the elected candidates.<\/p>\n
It is imperative that the election commissions conduct their
\nduty in the most scrupulous manner. Anything less could diminish
\nthe final outcome of the elections. The legitimacy of the local
\nelections depends on the executors of the process.<\/p>\n
There may be imperfections in the running of the elections and
\ncriticism by those dissatisfied with it, but if the credibility
\nof the commission remains intact trust in the process and
\nlegitimacy of the outcome will be respected.<\/p>\n
From there much hope will be placed in the elected officials
\nand councillors. They have the power to reinforce or shatter the
\ndreams of a democratic system.<\/p>\n
Their performance will determine whether it was worth all the
\ntrouble, or if democracy may not be suitable after all for
\nIndonesia.<\/p>\n
In many of the elections we are about to witness in the coming
\nmonths, Jakarta's political influence will still be felt in many
\nlocal races: Candidates who are more known to Jakartans than the
\nlocal district residents who are supposed to elect them; split
\ntickets based on agreements by the central boards of political
\nparties in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, these are facts of life which for now cannot be
\navoided. We can only hope that these shortcomings do not detract
\nfrom a process which, if conducted with patience and
\nperseverance, promises us much.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/peoples-democracy-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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