A WEB

Two officials from the A-WEB Secretariat, Mr.Youngduck Son, Director of the Planning Department and Mr. Pablo Lim, Senior Researcher of the Training and Electoral Observation Department, participated in the 2024 Election Visitor Program (EVP). The program was held in Surabaya, the capital of East Java Province and the second-largest city in Indonesia, from November 25 to 27, 2024. This program, organized by the General Elections Commission of Indonesia (KPU), aimed to observe the 2024 Simultaneous Regional Elections held on November 27.

These regional elections marked a country’s biggest regional head elections ever, involving one of the largest voter bases in the world. A total of 203,657,354 voters were registered across 37 provinces and 508 regencies/cities. In East Java Province, where the delegation observed the elections, 31,280,418 voters were registered, with women comprising 51% of the electorate. The regional KPU also reported 60,627 polling stations, including regular stations as well as special stations located in prisons, Islamic boarding schools, and social care facilities.

Day 1: Opening Ceremony and Networking

On November 25, the EVP’s opening ceremony in Surabaya gathered nearly 300 participants from 26 countries, including representatives from EMBs, NGOs, international organizations, and diplomatic missions. The event highlighted significant global interest in Indonesia's democratic processes.

Following the ceremony, the A-WEB Secretariat met with KPU Chairman, Mr. Mochammad Afifuddin. The Secretariat conveyed A-WEB Secretary-General Dr. In-sik Jang’s gratitude for the invitation and best wishes for the success of Indonesia’s landmark elections. Chairman Afifuddin expressed appreciation for A-WEB's participation and reaffirmed KPU’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with A-WEB as an Executive Board member.

Day 2: Preparations and Observations

On November 26, participants attended a session on voter outreach and the election framework in East Java. In the afternoon, delegates visited polling stations to observe the installation of electoral facilities and materials in preparation for Election Day.

Day 3: Election Day

On November 27, the EVP participants were divided into groups to observe key aspects of the electoral process, including the opening of polling stations, voting procedures, and vote counting.

The A-WEB Secretariat joined Group 4, which included diplomatic representatives from Asian and European countries.

The group visited several locations, including Lapas Kelas II A Magersari (a prison voting station), the TPS Genteng polling station, and the Regional Data Center in East Java.

A-WEB’s involvement in the 2024 EVP underscores its commitment to fostering international cooperation and promoting the exchange of best practices for strengthening democratic processes worldwide.