Similar to a country, the general election/pemilihan umum (pemilu) has become the manifestation of democracy for university’s students. One of them is the Student Union of Parahyangan Catholic University/Persatuan Mahasiswa Universitas Katolik Parahyangan (PM UNPAR), an organization that unites all UNPAR students by organizing the governing functions in three institutions.
The three institutions are the Students’ Representative Assembly / Majelis Perwakilan Mahasiswa (MPM) as the legislative and judicial body, Students’ Presidency /Lembaga Kepresidenan Mahasiswa (LKM). As the highest executive institution, as well as the Study Program Student Associations as an executive branch uniting students from each study program.
In practice, the term for the PM UNPAR lasts for 1 year. Thus the general election for Students union PUPM) is organized for the purpose of regenerating the organizing commitee within the PM. Referrring to MPM UNPAR provision Number .9/MPM/XI/2015 concerning PUPM UNPAR, the PUPM UNPAR is described as the election process of Unpar students who are competing for the membership of MPM, Presma and Wapresma and for the chairmanship of the HMPS.
Through organizing the above-mentioned party of democracy, PM UNPAR not only regenerates the committee but also provides opportunities to the next generation of youth to learn the values of democracy.
PM UNPAR has a General Election Commission (KPU UNPAR) as a temporary organization formed on the basis of delegating power from the MPM UNPAR. The supervision of of PUPM is done by the General Election Supervising Body / Badan Pengawas Pemilihan Umum (Banwaslu) PM UNPAR, that is responsible for overseeing the performance of KPU-PM UNPAR, overseeing the budgetary flow of PUPM UNPAR, as well as overseeing the actual organization of PUPM UNPAR.
Naturally, Banwaslu has the authority to give recommendations to the chairman of KPU-PM UNPAR regarding the result of investigations in the event of suspected breach of regulations during the election process. In order to cover all participating and voting Unpar students, the KPU-PM is divided into KPU Central, KPU Faculty (KPU-F), and Study Program Level KPU (KPU-PS).
The working procedures of PU-PM Unpar have been adjusted with existing laws and regulations while maintaining the principles of being direct, general, free, confidential, honest, just, independent, having legal certainty, order, public needs, being transparent, proportionate, professional, accountable, efficient and effective. Therefore, Unpar through PUPM has become a miniature state that educates its students to comprehend the application of politics, especially the comprehension of the importance in participating and voting, and standardizing regulations in holding elections.
Meanwhile, in terms of the election mechanism, PUPM Unpar has given at least two benefits of democracy to students.
Firstly, in organizing PUPM Unpar, KPU Unpar is free, in terms of duties and authorities, meaning that the appointment of KPU’s members is totally independent and impartial to any institutions in PM Unpar. Whereas previously the committee of KPU-PM had been appointed by the MPM Unpar, on this occasion MPM formed an independent ad-hoc committee.
Secondly, PUPM Unpar utilizes an electronic-based voting or e-voting process in order to show that Unpar has applied IT based technology.
Democracy and Participation
Jonathan Sihaloho as chairman of KPU-PM Unpar 2016 stated that the increase of student participation has to begin with observing the phenomena of Unpar students’ participation.
Relating to the continuity of PUPM Unpar 2016, he said that the KPU-PM team tried to publicize and disseminate information relating to PUPM Unpar as well as conducting HMPS. In line with Jonathan, Muhamad Yodi Nugraha as MPM chairman stated that Unpar students participation can be increased through selling points of certain institutions.
In the context of PUPM Unpar, the selling points may be made by all candidates of PM Unpar in the campaign period. The euphoria of the democratic party can hopefully become a stimulus for Unpar students to be involved in PUPM.
Sorce: Kompas – Griya Ilmu (Tuesday, April 5 2016)
