Don’t Waste Your Vote

IL News 007/2013

44th and 45th Citizenship/Civic Education

Sumbersari village and Palu city (Central Sulawesi province), April 2-6, 2013

The phenomenon of abstentions or white-voters (people who do not use their right to vote) in various regional elections in Indonesia is increasing. For example, the governor election in North Sumatra in 2013 saw the abstentions reached 51.5%. This is much higher than the winning pair Gatot-Tengku (PKS party) who won only 33% of total votes.

There are many reasons why someone would choose not to vote. Administrative issues, laziness, apathy, skepticism toward election, lack of acceptable candidates, etc, etc. However, whatever the reason, the electoral system in Indonesia does not take into account the white-votes or abstentions. The high abstentions doesn’t have any effect nor invalidate the election results. Therefore, abstention is the same as surrendering our fate to others, and the election remains valid.

This abstention or white-voter issue was one of the topics discussed in “Your Precious Vote” session in the 44th and 45th Citizenship/Civic Education program, held in partnership by the Institut Leimena and the Indonesia Donggal Protestant Church (GPID) Synod in Central Sulawesi province. This program on April 2-6, 2013, was supervised directly by 2nd Deputy Chairman of GPID Church Synod, with Daniel Adipranata and Matius Ho as facilitators from the Institut Leimena.

The Citizenship Education program was conducted in two different places. The first was in GPID church in Sumbersari village, Parigi Moutong district. Around 40 pastors and elders from Parigi Moutong and Poso districts participated. Then, the second was in GPID “Manunggal” in Palu city, attended by around 60 pastors and elders in Palu city and its vicinity.

Here are a few comments from the participants in both places:

This program expands my horizon as a pastor to understand more the Constitution and to hold a Citizens Discussion group in my church. (Rev. Mansur Dim, S.Th., GPID “Baitania”, Parigi district)

This really helps me how to become a good citizen, and a church member who continues to perform my duties and responsibilities in society, as a form of love for the nation and state. (Ni Made Dewi Artati, M.Pd., GPID “Manunggal”, Palu city)

Events like this will be included as an annual continuing program for members of service commissions (fathers, mothers, youths, teenagers, Sunday school teachers) and also for church elders in Pniel congregation. (dr. Altin Mongi, Chairman of Board of Elders, GPID “Pniel”, Palu city)