Semarang, November 13, 2025 – The Department of Politics and Government Science, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Diponegoro University (FISIP UNDIP), in collaboration with the General Elections Commission of the Republic of Indonesia (KPU RI), held a national seminar themed “Election and Voting Governance 2024: Reflection and Projection.” This event served as an academic forum for reflecting on the implementation of the 2024 Simultaneous Elections as well as a discussion platform to strengthen electoral governance that is characterized by integrity, transparency, and accountability.

The event was opened with remarks by the Dean of FISIP UNDIP, Dr. Drs. Teguh Yuwono, M.Pol.Admin., who emphasized that FISIP UNDIP offers study programs relevant to electoral studies, namely Government Science and the Master’s in Political Science. According to him, the collaboration between FISIP UNDIP and the KPU is a form of synergy between academic theory and field practice, enabling students to comprehensively understand the election process. Following the remarks, there was an exchange of mementos between FISIP UNDIP and KPU RI, as well as a special token of appreciation from the Head of the Department of Politics and Government Science, Dr. Nur Hidayat Sardini, S.Sos., S.H., M.Si., to the Chairperson of KPU RI and the Chairperson of the Central Java Provincial KPU, in recognition of the institutional cooperation established.

On the next occasion, KPU Central Java Commissioner Drs. Basmar Periyanto Imron, representing the Chairperson of the Central Java Provincial KPU, conveyed that KPU’s participation in this event was a joint effort to enlighten the public regarding election understanding, the dynamics of implementation, and the various social and political impacts arising in society.

The event continued with a keynote speech by the Chairperson of KPU RI, Mochammad Afifudin, who highlighted the complexity of the 2024 Simultaneous Elections. He explained that this election was the first model in Indonesia’s history in which the presidential and regional head elections were held in the same year. According to him, this circumstance made the burden on organizers much heavier than in previous years. The main challenge faced by the KPU is to maintain public trust amid increasingly complex political dynamics.

Before entering the first discussion session, the event included another handover of mementos between FISIP Diponegoro University and KPU RI, as well as special gifts from the Department of Politics and Government Science to the Chairperson of KPU RI, the Dean of FISIP Undip, and all speakers. These gifts carry special meaning in fostering meaningful collaboration between the election institution and the academic community.

The first discussion session was moderated by Dr. Dra. Rina Martini, M.Si., and featured four speakers. August Mellaz, Head of Public Outreach, Voter Education, and Public Participation Division of KPU RI, explained how the KPU strives to be an electoral education center for the public by building feedback mechanisms and collaborative programs to raise voter awareness. Betty Epsilon Idroos, Head of Data and Information Division of KPU RI, described the digitization process of voter data via the Sidalih system and the transparency of vote counting results through the Sirekap application. Muhammad Amin, Head of the Central Java Provincial Election Supervisory Board (Bawaslu), emphasized the importance of preventive election supervision, including through public education and participatory monitoring, as embodiments of transparent governance. Meanwhile, Neni Nur Hayati, Director of DEEP-Indonesia, underscored the importance of strengthening voter capacity in facing the threat of weak ties between political parties and civil society, while offering ideas for institutional and electoral system reforms towards more equitable and democratic elections.

The second discussion session was led by Lusia Astrika, S.IP., M.Si., and featured five speakers. First, Yulianto Sudrajat, Head of Planning, Finance, General Affairs, Household, and Logistics Division of KPU RI, presented the importance of logistics management as a key factor in ensuring smooth elections throughout Indonesia. Second, Dr. Sri Budi Eko Wardani, M.Si., an academic from the University of Indonesia, highlighted the need to strengthen the independence of electoral management bodies so they are not swayed by the executive, legislative, or judicial branches of government. The third speaker, Wahyu Susilo, Executive Director of Migrant Care, discussed transparency in the election process. The fourth, Nur Hidayat Sardini, Head of the Department of Politics and Government Science, FISIP UNDIP, outlined the concept of electoral governance and its implementation in the 2024 elections. Meanwhile, Dr. Sos. Fitriyah, M.S., the fifth speaker and Head of the Electoral Politics Expertise Group at FISIP UNDIP, reviewed the challenges and opportunities in applying election governance, including evaluation of money politics practices, the neutrality of state civil apparatus, and the importance of voter education and data digitalization as future steps.

The event concluded with closing remarks from the Head of the Department of Politics and Government Science, FISIP Undip, who also served as organizer and chair of the One-Day National Seminar Committee. Through this event, the Department of Politics and Government Science, FISIP UNDIP, and KPU RI hope to strengthen academic and institutional collaboration in enhancing electoral governance in Indonesia, in pursuit of elections that are more credible, inclusive, and democratic.