​​​​​​​Since we will also hold our election in 2024, we can study and have information, knowledge, as well as experience exchanges with them.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Communication and Informatics Minister Johnny G. Plate called for the digitization of the general election during the Election Digitalization Coordination Meeting for Digitizing Indonesia with the General Elections Commission (KPU), held in hybrid format from Bali.

"Adopting digital technology for implementing elections can increase effectiveness and efficiency of the political process," he stated, according to a press release issued on Wednesday.

This effectiveness and efficiency would provide benefits during the voter identity verification process, voting stage, vote counting process, as well as the tabulation of election results, he said.

It is very possible to digitize elections since many countries have run electronic voting (e-voting), for instance, Estonia has been doing this since 2005, the minister said. Thus, e-voting is not a new practice.

In addition, India is focusing on digital-based elections using blockchain technology to support remote voting, he noted.

"Hopefully, the system can be implemented in the upcoming general election of India in 2024. Since we will also hold our election in 2024, we can study and have information, knowledge, as well as experience exchanges with them," he said.

According to global intergovernmental organization Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, e-voting has been carried out in 34 countries during national and regional elections, the Communication and Informatics Ministry said.

The digitization of elections is required for the implementation of democracy in Indonesia and the manifestation of the sovereignty of the Indonesian people, Plate said.

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There are four aspects that are required for holding digital elections: the development of digital innovation, management of data flow and communication, acceleration of communication rate, and commodification of electoral data, he elaborated.

Thus, the availability of adequate information and communication infrastructure is important to carry out digital transformation in the elections process.

Hence, the ministry is currently expediting the development of the infrastructure throughout Indonesia as the foundation for the national digital transformation agenda to reduce the digital divide.

Related news: 2024 elections: KPU to open political party registrations in Aug

Translator: Natisha Andarningtyas, Uyu Lim
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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