The issue of money politics will be the most crucial challenge in future general elections and regional head elections. Based on the experience of the 2024 General Election and Regional Head Elections, the issue of money politics will be a serious challenge and requires the attention of all parties.
The Election Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) is deemed incapable of addressing the increasingly sophisticated problem of money politics alone. Support from all stakeholders, including election participants, is needed to reduce the practice of money politics, which is considered detrimental to the people and undermines democracy.
One positive aspect is that students agree that vote-buying must be combated, despite the significant challenges it will face, similar to the experiences of students participating in the 2024 General Election and Regional Head Elections.
This was one of the views expressed in a discussion between the Lhokseumawe City Election Supervisory Agency (Panwaslih) and several Malikussaleh University student activists at the Bukit Indah Campus Park in Lhokseumawe, Aceh, Indonesia, on Tuesday, January 27, 2026.
"Like in the last regional elections, some candidates facilitated students' return to their hometowns. They provided transportation, food, and even snacks," said Andika Pranata Ginting, a student at the Faculty of Agriculture at Malikussaleh University.
The student from Labuhan Batu, North Sumatra, revealed that when students refused, they faced significant challenges, including from their families. "For example, when we refused, we arrived home to find our parents had already accepted," said Andika, who also criticized Bawaslu for not acting solely on reports.
He added that when students found evidence of vote buying, they didn't dare report it or publish it to the media due to threats from candidate supporters.
Asri S, an activist from the Indonesian Islamic Student Movement (PMII) in Lhokseumawe City, echoed this sentiment. He stated that there are legal loopholes exploited by election and regional election participants to engage in vote buying practices, one of which is the payment of transportation fees for campaign participants. Although cash payments are not permitted, many other methods are used to facilitate transactions between participants and voters.
"This is where strengthening regulations and the role of the Elections Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) in cracking down on vote buying are needed," he said.
Meanwhile, Irfan Anshori emphasized that combating vote buying is not enough with just appeals and publicity; it must be accompanied by bold action from Bawaslu and support from all parties, including participants.
"Banners advocating or publicity from Bawaslu regarding the prohibition of vote buying are outnumbered by banners or billboards belonging to legislative candidates," Irfan said.
The informal discussion, held by the Lhokseumawe City Election Supervisory Agency (Panwaslih), was held in a relaxed but focused manner with various community elements, including students. The event, held at Malikussaleh University's Bukit Indah Campus, was attended by two members of the Lhokseumawe City Election Supervisory Committee (Panwaslih), Yuli Asbar and Ayi Jufridar.
According to Yuli, the event was intended as part of the consolidation of democracy following the conclusion of the election. "The discussion was lighthearted with changing themes," she said.
Meanwhile, Ayi Jufridar stated that the discussion also served as part of strengthening participatory oversight, involving all elements of society, especially students, who are expected to be at the forefront of preventing vote buying practices.
"This activity also strengthens the election monitoring partnership with civil society and stakeholders to ensure participatory, honest, and fair elections," said Ayi Jufridar, who was accompanied by several staff members.
On the occasion, the students also suggested that Bawaslu (Elections Supervisory Agency) strengthen its use of digital platforms to address allegations of election violations, including vote buying. "This includes establishing a task force and increasing the number of supervisory officers at polling stations during voting," Andika suggested.[]
