"For us (Indonesian diaspora) abroad, this is actually the most awaited thing," he said in the event "Parlemen Menjawab: Mendongkrak Partisipasi Pemilih Luar Negeri" (Parliament Answers: Increasing Participation of Overseas Voters) broadcasted in Indonesian by RRI Voice of Indonesia on Sunday (26/11/2023).
Eriko does not want the votes given by the community through one choice to be diverted into other choices. Therefore, he saw the need to prepare e-voting technology to support elections. Eriko, of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), also invited the university students present at the event to provide input to the General Elections Commission (KPU) and the DPR regarding election-related technology.
"Earlier it was conveyed by Mrs. Betty [KPU commissioner] that there is an information system at the KPU. Give us advice, don't think about it (but) we don't implement it... Also those abroad (who) also really understand gadgets, let's give advice to the KPU, (and) to us as representatives in parliament for residents abroad," he said.
Meanwhile, another member of the DPR, Christina Aryani of the Golkar Party, added that the Personal Data Protection Act facilitates the realization of the e-voting system. The act was passed in 2022, with a two-year adjustment period. She believes that by its enactment in 2024, electronic security infrastructure can support e-voting in the next elections.
"I think this is one step (forward) with the Personal Data Protection Law. Once this is implemented in 2024, and then things can run accordingly, then perhaps we will have the infrastructure (needed) for e-voting," he said.
Besides Eriko and Christina, the event also invited Titi Anggraeni, a board of trustees member of an Indonesian non-governmental organization Association for Elections and Democracy (Perludem). The event was also attended by representatives from abroad, such as the Indonesian Overseas Students Association (PPI Dunia) and some overseas election committees.
