565 Villages in West Java to Hold Digital Village Head Elections

A total of 565 villages across six regencies in West Java are scheduled to hold digital village head elections (pilkades) this year. The regencies involved are Bekasi, Cianjur, Sumedang, Karawang, Subang, and Ciamis.

Mochamad Ade Afriandi, Head of the West Java Provincial Community and Village Empowerment Office, explained that the provincial government is not only facilitating digital voting but also supporting the preparatory stages. “One of the facilities provided in the Digital Pilkades, particularly during the pre-election phase, is a village website containing population information, including the number of residents and eligible voters,” Ade stated on Tuesday (11/8).

A previous digital pilkades in Karawang Regency in 2025 was deemed a success. According to provisional recapitulation data, voter turnout exceeded 80% in several areas, with Desa Cadaskertajaya recording 91% participation from 2,478 voters, Desa Balongsari at 84.11%, and Desa Tanjungmekar at 82%.

West Java DPRD Deputy Speaker Ono Surono noted that the electronic system significantly reduces election costs compared to conventional methods. While a single conventional polling station could cost tens of millions of rupiah, the digital system is claimed to cut costs by up to 90% per polling station. “These efficiency savings must be returned to the people in the form of improved village infrastructure and other necessities. The success of implementing technology at the village level opens up opportunities for adoption in broader elections in the future,” he said.