unri.ac.id In order to approach the election period for the Governor and Deputy Governor of Riau Province in 2018, Riau University (Unri) together with the General Election Commission (KPU) of Riau Province carried out a socialization activity entitled ""KPU Goes to Campus " in order to inform the public about the stages in the implementation of the 2018 Governor and Deputy Governor Election activities, in the multipurpose hall on the 4th floor of the Unri Rectorate building, Thursday (12/4).
The Commissioner of the General Election Commission of Riau Province, Abdul Hamid, explained that the main purpose of this socialization was to increase knowledge about the role of students in each stage of the process of the Regional Head Election (Pilkada) of Riau Province in 2018.
Source: PR University of Riau
Source: PR University of Riau
Hamid, further explained the reason for holding the socialization of the Pilkada with the theme "Strong State Sovereign Voters" on the Unri campus, is because the campus is a neutral place. He also hopes that all students can participate in voting. Voters are one of the election stakeholders among three other elements, namely the organizers, participants, and the media.
“Voters have a big role in the electoral process and democracy. Voters determine the future of the nation. Independent voters participate in the process of holding elections and are not influenced by money politics," explained Hamid.
Source: PR University of Riau
Source: PR University of Riau
Syapril Abdullah, Planning and Data Division of KPU, said that students who have a very important role to participate in the election are classified as novice voters and have quite a large number. For this reason, student participation as voters will determine the nation's future.
“The higher the participation, the higher the quality of democracy. The Riau KPU's motto is "Spoiling" Clean, Participatory, Fair, and Courteous". The KPU is currently focusing on targeting student groups to be actively involved in the success of the simultaneous local elections in Riau Province. KPU, needs student groups mainly in socialization activities about elections, even as a strengthening of the concept," added Syapril.
Source: PR University of Riau
Source: PR University of Riau
The involvement of the group which is sometimes referred to as the driving force and change is indeed very important. They can play a role in many things, such as supervising the election administration. "But they can also help inform the public about elections and I think that is very positive," concluded Syapril.
In line with what was conveyed by Dr. Syapsan SE ME, Deputy Chancellor for Student Affairs and Alumni at Unri, conveyed that the role of students was very important as a driving force and change that helped inform the public about the elections. "As we know that KPU regulations are constantly changing for the sake of good and smooth elections, it is the function of universities, especially students, to inform and guide the public in the election process."
“Through this activity, we hope that students can better understand the procedures and rules for holding elections on 27 June. Besides that, there are not many abstentions because students are included in the number of novice voters, which is quite a lot,” Syapsan hoped. (wendi.foto:rizki)***