Regional elections (Pilkada) are democratic events where citizens elect leaders at the local level, determining the direction of policies and development that align with the needs of the community.
In 2024, the regional elections were held simultaneously on November 27, 2024, in various regions across Indonesia. This simultaneous election involved the election of Governors and Vice Governors, Regents and Vice Regents, Mayors and Vice Mayors.
This event has drawn responses from students of the Government Studies Program at UMM. "For the 2024 Pilkada, we need to be wise in using social media and open to political education," stated one of the students.
Being wise in using social media is important, as it provides broad access to information. However, while information is easily accessible, it also exposes individuals to the risk of misinformation or hoaxes.
Openness to political education is also necessary, as there needs to be more discussion on the Pilkada to build a critical political awareness. This will help prevent apathy, particularly among young people.
As young people, we play a crucial role in safeguarding democracy, ensuring that the Pilkada process runs smoothly.
