Internet Voting Will Be Used for Indonesia's Simultaneous Elections in 2024: Here are specifics and difficulties encountered.

 Every five years, Indonesia has simultaneous general elections that involve voting for the president and members of the DPR and DPRD. Yet Indonesia's ongoing COVID-19 outbreak has compelled the government to come up with new plans for hosting the elections in 2024. Online voting is one of the suggested options. But might Indonesia host effective online elections? These are a few of the specifics and difficulties that Indonesian internet voting would entail.

The Indonesian government must first make sure that everyone has access to modern technology. In 2021, only 18.3 per cent of Indonesian homes will have access to the internet at speeds of 10 megabits per second or faster, according to data from the Central Statistical Agency (BPS). Indonesian online elections will therefore face significant technological infrastructure problems. With the help of the Palapa Ring national internet network construction program, the Indonesian government has been attempting to upgrade the country's technological infrastructure.

Strengthening internet access across Indonesia is the goal of Palapa Ring, a national internet network development program with a potential expenditure of Rp. 27 trillion. The government has also installed satellite internet in places that are challenging to reach via cable networks in an effort to increase internet connectivity in rural communities. This program is intended to widen access to technology and make it easier to hold elections online.

Voter data security is the next difficulty. Voter information will be kept on the server throughout online elections. Voter data is thus susceptible to data theft and cyberattacks. The Indonesian government must make sure that the data storage system is secure and has the necessary data security safeguards. Voter information theft or damage by careless parties has the potential to compromise election integrity and cast doubt on the validity of the results.

Network security must also be taken into account. Due to Indonesia's internet networks' significant vulnerability to hackers, the legitimacy of online elections may be in danger. The internet network and security system utilized for online elections in Indonesia must have sufficient security protection, according to the Indonesian government.

Security and monitoring are other difficulties. Election supervisors are crucial to maintaining the integrity of elections during offline voting. But, security and monitoring are more difficult with online elections. The Indonesian government must make sure that the security and control measures put in place can guard against fraud and guarantee the overall integrity of the election.

The community's readiness for online elections is the final challenge. The majority of Indonesians are still accustomed to offline polls, despite the fact that online elections have been held in a number of nations, including Estonia. The Indonesian government must make sure that voters are aware of how to cast their ballots in online elections and must offer those who require it technical assistance. The government must also make sure that the populace is aware of the repercussions of online voting and the value of protecting their personal information.

On the other hand, there are benefits to online elections. Internet voting can expedite the vote-counting process and lower election costs. Moreover, internet voting can boost voter turnout, particularly among those who reside in rural regions or have limited mobility.

In conclusion, there are a number of significant obstacles that Indonesia's online, simultaneous elections in 2024 will have to overcome, including issues with the technological infrastructure, data security, supervision, and community readiness. Nonetheless, through the Palapa Ring program and other initiatives, the Indonesian government has worked to enhance the country's technological infrastructure and data security. The government must also address the technical and security issues related to online elections, as well as make sure the public is aware of them and ready for them. As a result, holding elections online can be a viable and efficient option to doing so in Indonesia.

References:


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Between Market Freedom and Socio-Economic Risks is Neoliberalism

The Harsh Reality of Post-Pandemic Indonesia: Unemployment and Poverty Levels Reach Alarming Heights"

Timeless Treasures: Exploring the Beauty of Eternal Wonders