The democratic party will take place in 2024. In this political event, of course, all components of society are expected to participate in channeling voting rights to be able to jointly determine the nation’s leaders who will determine the fate of the country in the future. The younger generation, known as the golden generation, is expected to participate.
Ganesha University of Education (Undiksha) academician I Gusti Ayu Apsari Hadi, S.H., M.H. provides an understanding of the nature of elections. Basically, elections held in Indonesia have a strong legal basis. This is because it has been stated in the 1945 Constitution Article 22 E paragraph 1 states that General Elections are held based on the principles of direct, public, free, secret, honest, and fair every five years. This is not merely formal legal but must be implemented and realized because elections are said to be a manifestation of people’s sovereignty as one of the principles of democracy, namely government that originates from, by, and for the people. Therefore, the people have an important role so that they are expected to participate in controlling their government and the people have the right to choose their leaders.
Through elections, elected leaders are also expected to be able to adjust the development plans that will be made to suit the development plans previously made by previous leaders.
From the research he conducted in Buleleng Regency, it was found that the level of first-time voters was almost 70% as a result of the demographic bonus. So the age of first-time voters in 2024 is predicted to increase. As is well known, novice voters have a minimum age of 17 years so it becomes an important factor in the implementation of the General Election, one might even say that these novice voters are the main actors in the 2024 election contestation.
However, novice voters who are unfamiliar with elections still need to be directed so they can recognize the candidates to be elected later. The way that can be done is to approach through social media that is very familiar to the younger generation.
Apart from that, it is also necessary to socialize so that the younger generation, especially novice voters, can become intelligent voters who can really know the character of the leader, vision, mission, and so on from the candidates they will choose later. The most important approach that can be taken at the school level is through a learning curriculum that must be more directed at political education or beginner voter education so that later children do not become indifferent to the implementation of this nation’s politics. Apart from that, they know the true essence of the election because they also have rights in its implementation.
In the election contests held in Indonesia, there is still the potential to be colored by black campaigns and spreading hoaxes. However, this is expressly prohibited. For those who are considered tarnished, inciting their political opponents can later be punished. Therefore, voters must be smart and careful, especially if they see or read information spread on social media, and must always ensure that the information they get really comes from a credible institution.
A democratic country like Indonesia considers youth to have a major role. This can be seen from the beginning of independence until the reformation, there has always been a role for youth in it. So it can be said that youth in this case are the mouthpiece between the elite and society. What the youth think can be believed and trusted by the community so the role of youth is very important. Not only as voters but also as organizers because a small role can provide great benefits.
The youth are expected to be free or get out of their comfort zone and play a role in voicing their rights as citizens because the voice they give will have a major impact on the continuity of the Indonesian nation. (hms)
