KPU optimistic of higher voter turnout in 2024 General Elections

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The General Elections Commission (KPU) expressed optimism that voters' participation in the 2024 General Elections will be higher than that observed five years ago.

"We can see the potential for participation. I believe the participation will be better, both in terms of quantity and quality," KPU member Idham Holik stated in an exclusive interview with ANTARA in Jakarta on Monday (January 29).

According to Holik, the enthusiasm of people, especially of young voters, is reflected by the content on social media. The Ministry of Communication and Informatics recorded a decline in the spread of hoax content during the campaigning period of the 2024 General Elections as compared to the 2019 General Elections' campaigning period.

During the period from November 28, 2023, to January 11, 2024, as many as 51 items of hoax content had been taken down, and 175 clarifications for elections-related hoaxes had been issued.

"This has shown that there is a good understanding of who to communicate (with) on social media. It is very different from 2019," he stated.

Holik noted that during the 2019 General Elections, some research showed that the voters were sharply polarized. This condition is different now, thereby reflecting a greater level of maturity among voters. According to the KPU member, the voter turnout in the 2019 General Elections had reached 82 percent. To this end, the KPU is aiming to increase it during the 2024 General Elections.

"The principle is that it must be better. We realize that it requires the collaboration and mutual cooperation of all the nation's children," he remarked.

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Indonesia will hold the 2024 General Elections on February 14, 2024, in which around 204.8 million voters are expected to participate. The campaigning period for the elections started on November 28, 2023, and will end on February 10, 2024.

During the elections, Indonesians will choose a president and vice president as well as members of the House of Representatives (DPR), Regional Representatives Council (DPD), and Regional Legislative Councils (DPRD) at the provincial, city, and district levels.