Simultaneous regional elections during the Covid-19 pandemic: Confrontation between democracy and religion in Indonesia

Abstract

AbstractSeveral developed countries opposed general elections due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in decreases in voter turnout from 66–73.8%. Similarly, simultaneous regional elections in Indonesia during the COVID-19 period were opposed by several Muslim religious leaders placing the election at odds with the democratic process. However, concerns over COVID-19 safety results in an increase in voter participation by 79.13%. The purpose of this study is to find a harmonious model whereby upholding democracy and fulfilling Muslim religious teachings of respecting human life (Khifdzul Nafs) are both achieved when conducting simultaneous regional elections. This model was expected to increase voter participation and the control further spread of Covid-19. This research focuses on legal and policy issues namely, the Regional Election regulations and COVID-19 prevention policies in three districts (Sleman, Bantul and Gunungkidul), Special Region of Yogyakarta. Data were collected from legal document reviews and survey results from respondents involving 43 election organizers and 200 voters. The results show that the simultaneous regional election model in Indonesia is not only a democratic event but is also an avenue through which the government campaigns the prevention of COVID-19 which adheres to the idea of Khifdzul Nafs. Thus, the simultaneous regional election model applied during the COVID-19 pandemic can be used as a model for the 2027 Indonesian national simultaneous regional elections and even for general elections in other countries. Although the COVID-19 pandemic will cease, the best practices for simultaneous regional elections during it can be used to subsequent infectious disease outbreaks such as tuberculosis (TBC) and HIV.

Keywords

• politics
• law
• democracy
• regional elections
• religion
• Covid-19