TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Vice Minister of Home Affairs Bima Arya Sugiarto stated that the government is open to the possibility of implementing a digital voting mechanism or electronic voting (e-voting) in the 2029 elections.
According to him, the readiness for the implementation of technology-based voting will be refined.
Bima announced that the 2025 village head elections (Pilkades) will adopt an e-voting system. He emphasized that there are no obstacles regarding the infrastructure required to support this new voting method.
"The technology is relatively simple in rural areas, so they are ready," Bima said after attending a discussion at the Democratic Party's Central Executive Board office in Jakarta on Monday, May 19, 2025.
He added that implementing e-voting in this year’s Pilkades could serve as a valuable assessment tool for the government before considering its use in national elections. "It will be maximized in the next stage of pilkades so that it becomes a stepping stone towards e-voting at the national level," he stated.
According to the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), by 2024, at least 27 regencies and 1,752 villages across Indonesia had already implemented electronic voting in Pilkades.
A member of the National Mandate Party, Bima acknowledged that introducing e-voting at the national level presents greater challenges compared to village-level implementation. "In regencies or cities, a more mature system is needed. But at least we want to try," he said.
However, he could not confirm whether the e-voting system would be adopted for the 2029 national elections, stating that such a decision would require consensus between the government and the House of Representatives (DPR).
Meanwhile, the idea of implementing electronic voting has been supported by the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM). Commissioner for Study and Research, Saurlin P. Siagian, suggested that digital voting should be considered for future presidential and regional elections.
He argued that e-voting could help address ongoing human rights violations associated with the election process. Additionally, Saurlin highlighted that using digital technology could enhance both the efficiency and effectiveness of the voting process conducted by polling station working committees (KPPS).
He stressed the importance of utilizing technology to alleviate the excessive workloads faced by KPPS members, which he said had contributed to fatalities during the 2019 and 2024 elections.
"In the future, elections must utilize technology. E-voting must be considered in the future," he said on Wednesday, January 15, 2025.
Ervana Trikarinaputri contributed to the writing of this article.
Editor's Choice: Home ASEAN Indonesia's Prabowo to Support Thailand's Bid to Join BRICS
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Yoon Suk Yeol Leaves South Korea's People Power Party
1 hari lalu
Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol announced his departure from the People Power Party
4 Things to Know About South Korea's Upcoming Election
4 hari lalu
South Korea's general election will be held on June 3, 2025 with early voting taking place for two days at the end of May.
Australian PM Anthony Albanese Arrives in Indonesia for 3-Day Visit
4 hari lalu
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is visiting Indonesia after his election win.
South Korea Kicks off Presidential Campaigns with Lee Jae Myung as Frontrunner
5 hari lalu
The presidential campaigns for the South Korean election began on Monday, May 12, 2025
House Commission II Says Election Bill Discussion to Commence 2026
10 hari lalu
Member of the House Commission II, Muhammad Khozin, revealed that the discussion on the amendment of the Election Law will be held next year.
Election of the New Pope: How Long Will the Papal Conclave Last?
11 hari lalu
The papal conclave for the selection of the new Pope to replace Pope Francis can last only a few hours or up to years.
Friedrich Merz Elected as New German Chancellor in Second Vote
12 hari lalu
Friedrich Merz has been elected as the new Chancellor of Germany.
Sistine Chapel Prepares for the Election of New Pope
14 hari lalu
The Sistine Chapel in the Vatican has been prepared to host 133 cardinal electors for the upcoming conclave to choose the 267th Pope.
Anthony Albanese Makes Indonesia His First Visit After Winning Australian Election
14 hari lalu
The Labor Party of Australia, led by Anthony Albanese, won the election held on Saturday, May 3, 2025.
Anthony Albanese, Australia's Prime Minister Who Made History
14 hari lalu
Anthony Albanese re-elected as Australian Prime Minister for the second time, defeating a controversial anti-Muslim candidate.
