Jakarta Gubernatorial Election Faces Legitimacy Concerns Due to Low Voter Turnout

The legitimacy of the upcoming Jakarta gubernatorial election has been called into question due to record-low voter participation. Basri Baco, Secretary of the

RIDO Team, voiced concerns that the eventual winner may lack genuine legitimacy, reflecting the voices of only a fraction of Jakarta’s residents.

A Historic Low in Voter Engagement

According to Baco, Jakarta’s 2024 gubernatorial election has witnessed the lowest voter turnout in the region’s history. While official figures are yet to be released, initial data suggests a participation rate of roughly 50 percent, a significant drop compared to previous elections.

“We all know that participation is very low, in fact, only around 50 percent less, and this is recorded as the lowest participation in the history of regional elections in DKI Jakarta,” Basri Baco said at the DPD Golkar Jakarta Office in Cikini, Central Jakarta, on Monday, December 2nd, 2024.

“If public participation is very low, it could be said that whoever wins this Pilkada has little or no legitimacy, because it can only be chosen by a quarter of Jakarta residents,” he added.

The Impact on Election Outcomes

Baco’s concerns highlight the potential ramifications of a low voter turnout. He pointed out that with approximately 8 million registered voters in Jakarta, only half participated in the election. Considering the requirement for a minimum of 50 percent plus one vote for victory, the winning candidate might only represent a quarter of the eligible voters.

“Based on temporary data, there are approximately 8 million DPTs from Jakarta, only half of them voted, and only half of them voted. And the winner, if it has to be 50 percent plus one, means a quarter,” he explained.

“So the legitimacy of the gubernatorial candidate or elected governor is only approximately a quarter of the DPT who voted, so in our opinion, if this happens then the legitimacy is very weak,” he said.

A History of Decreasing Participation

This year’s turnout marks a worrying trend of declining voter participation in Jakarta’s elections. The 2017 regional elections saw a participation rate of 70 percent, while recent surveys by Charta Politika have shown that only 58 percent of registered voters participated in the recent Jakarta Pilkada. According to the Indonesian Survey Institute, the participation rate in the Jakarta Pilkada reached 69.57 percent.

The RIDO Team’s statement highlights a crucial debate surrounding the legitimacy and representativeness of elections with low voter participation. While the democratic process must continue, fostering higher civic engagement is essential for ensuring that elected officials truly reflect the will of the people.

What can be‍ done to improve voter participation in⁣ future Jakarta elections?

## Jakarta Election: Low Turnout Raises Concerns

**Interviewer:** We’re here today with Basri ​Baco, Secretary⁣ of‌ the RIDO Team, to ⁢discuss the recent Jakarta gubernatorial election and the concerns⁢ surrounding its low voter turnout. Mr. Baco, thank you for joining us.

**Basri Baco:** It’s ‍a pleasure⁢ to be here.

**Interviewer:** You’ve expressed ​concern about the legitimacy of ⁣the election due to the record-low voter participation. Can you elaborate on this?

**Basri Baco:** Absolutely. Initial data suggests ‍that voter turnout was around 50%, ​ making it the lowest in Jakarta’s history for⁤ regional elections [[1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_Indonesian_general_election)]. This ​significant drop raises serious questions about⁣ whether the elected ⁢candidate truly ‌represents the will of ‍the people.

**Interviewer:** A low turnout⁢ could indeed ⁢suggest apathy or ⁤disillusionment among voters. What do you think are‍ some⁣ of the ​factors ‍contributing to ⁣this trend?

**Basri Baco:** ⁢There are various ⁢factors at play. ‌ Perhaps people feel disenchanted with the political process, or they⁢ may not see their concerns ⁤reflected in the candidates’ platforms. It’s crucial to understand these underlying reasons to address voter⁣ apathy in the future.

**Interviewer:** ⁢What are the potential implications of an election with such low participation?

**Basri Baco:** The⁢ winner might lack the ⁢ mandate to effectively govern, facing⁢ challenges in ⁢implementing their⁤ policies and addressing the needs of all Jakarta residents. It also undermines the democratic process ​itself.

**Interviewer:** What steps⁤ can be taken to ‌encourage greater voter participation in ⁣future elections?

**Basri Baco:** We need to work on several fronts. ​This includes building trust⁢ in ‌the electoral ⁤system, addressing‌ voter concerns, ensuring wider access​ to information about candidates and their platforms, and making the voting ⁤process more accessible and⁢ convenient.

**Interviewer:** Thank you, Mr. Baco, for sharing your insights.

**Basri⁤ Baco:** Thank you for having me.