The Team of the Selection Committee for prospective members of the Aceh Provincial Panwaslih has begun conducting outreach to various regions. They guarantee that the selection process, from the beginning to the end, will take place in an open, measurable, and responsible manner.
This was emphasized by the Head of the Selection Committee, Teuku Kemal Fasya, and member Prof. Dr. Apridar, when conducting outreach at the Lancang Garam Campus, Malikussaleh University, Lhokseumawe, Thursday (9/2/2023). In addition to conveying the mechanism for selecting candidates for Aceh Province Panwaslih members, Teuku Kemal Fasya and Apridar also absorbed various inputs from the participants.
According to Kemal, socialization was carried out to recruit potential commissioner candidates in various regions and invite more female participants. Two things that cause the registration period to be extended are if the number of registrants is less than 8 times the requirement and the number of female participants is less than 30 percent.
“Participants will be limited to 210 people. If this requirement is not met, the committee will extend it. But, this extension is only done once," said Kemal.
If applicants exceed 210 people, the committee will assess them based on portfolios such as experience as organizers or writing about election and democracy activities. "At first glance, it benefits experienced participants," Kemal added.
In addition to administrative selection, participants will also take a computer-assisted test (CAT). Then there is a psychological exam to measure intelligence abilities, work attitudes, and personality. The 20 best CAT and psychology scores will be taken to enter the next stage, namely interviews and community responses.
Regarding the community's response, a socialization participant, Yusriadi, hoped that the Selection Committee would carry out checks and balances because there were fears that someone would find fault. "Public input can come from parties who find fault," said the chairman of the Panwaslih of North Aceh district.
Responses from participants also came from the Chairman of the Lhokseumawe City Supervisory Committee, Teuku Zulkarnaen who suggested that the technical capabilities of prospective commissioners should also be included in the CAT exam so that they are able to solve supervisory problems. He also warned of the possibility of network problems during the CAT exam, as has happened in other regions.
Regarding the rules on not being involved in marital ties with the organizers that were asked by other participants, Teuku Zulkarnaen said that the organizers were also attached to the secretariat officers, not just the commissioners.
Other questions also came from a number of female leaders in Lhokseumawe, both from academics and from NGOs, including suggestions that in health checks also consider the ethics and Islamic law that apply in Aceh.
Responding to questions from participants, Teuku Kemal Fasya reminded potential participants not to worry about various inputs from the public, because the committee will not follow up on anonymous letters or information based on rumors.
"Selection Committee will keep the identity of the reporter confidential and will be vigilant on the correctness of the information," he said.
Affirmation of the neutrality and integrity of the selection committee was also conveyed by Prof. Dr. Apridar. According to him, the socialization carried out by the committee to various regions was a proactive step to recruit potential candidates and invite leaders to play a role in improving the quality of democracy.
"With the system set up, there is no chance for adventurous things. The purpose of the socialization is indeed for that so that everything can be transparent so that Panwasli members are elected with integrity, "said Apridar.
Emphasis on the professionalism of the selection committee was also conveyed by Dr. Fajran Zain when conducting socialization at Teuku Umar University, Meulaboh, Friday (10/2/2023). According to him, the recruitment process for election supervisory commissioners in Aceh is free from the intervention of any party.
“There are no rations in this recruitment. We do not receive any special orders from certain parties or from political party leaders, which affect ongoing recruitment," said Fajran.
From direct socialization activities to various regions, the selection committee hopes to get as many potential candidates as the Aceh Panwaslih to be submitted to the RI Bawaslu to be determined.[]
