"Those three electoral actors are interrelated to ensure an election with integrity," Fariz stated during a webinar on electoral money politics investigation, hosted by West Kalimantan's Pontianak General Elections Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) on Wednesday.
If one of the electoral actor's integrity is in question, an election with integrity cannot be ensured, Fariz said while referring to money politics, which is often used by candidates to get more votes.
In the context of electoral and money politics, the General Elections Commission (KPU) and the supervisory agency may oversee this practice due to the extensive nature of the electoral system, he stated.
Electoral integrity and responses to money politics can also be seen by electoral strategies adopted by candidates, either individuals or political parties, Fariz noted.
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Voters' perception of money politics can be assessed by their response to rogue candidates offering money for votes, he added.
"If one actor fails to maintain integrity in the election by falling for money politics, then the integrity of the entire electoral process becomes questionable," Fariz stated.
Political apathy could be a cause behind money politics in the electoral process, as apathetic voters may see the practice as tolerable, he explained.
Fariz cited a survey conducted by the Indonesian Survey Circle (LSI), which has revealed that three out of ten people are willing to accept the money offered by candidates during the electoral process.
Political apathy has led to voters doubting that their elected representative would voice their aspirations properly, he pointed out.
The public perception that any favorable offers should not be rejected, particularly when the voters genuinely need the money, might be the cause behind the tolerance to money politics during the election, Fariz stated.
"Nowadays, the expression 'accept the money but do not vote for them' that is often heard is evidence of public apathy to political elites," he remarked.
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Translator: M Jasuma F, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Suharto
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