238 American Journal of Economic and Management Business p-ISSN: XXXX-XXXX e-ISSN: 2835-5199 Vol. 2 No. 7 July 2023 THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE GENERAL ELECTION COMMISSION (KPU) ORGANIZATION OF BENGKULU PROVINCE IN THE GUBERNATORIAL ELECTION AND DEPUTY GOVERNOR OF BENGKULU Eko Dafella, Achmad Aminudin, Nour Farozi Agus Universitas Bengkulu, Indonesia Email: eko.ifahafidz@gmail.com, achmadaminudin.unib@gmail.com Abstract Based on the Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia Year 1945 states that the State of Indonesia is a unitary state in the form of a republic. Regional Head Elections or also called Elections for Governors and Vice Governors, Regents and Vice Regents, as well as Mayors and Deputy Mayors hereinafter referred to as Elections are the exercise of people's sovereignty in provincial and regency/city areas to elect Governors and Vice Governors, Regents and Vice Regents, as well as Mayors and Vice Mayors directly and democratically. The type of research used is qualitative descriptive with descriptive elaboration, the effectiveness of the General Election Commission (KPU) Organization of Bengkulu Province in the 2020 Bengkulu Governor and Deputy Governor Elections during the Covid-19 pandemic has been quite effective. KPU Bengkulu Province can carry out tasks that are used as research aspects in this study. To find out the effectiveness can be seen from the following data: Aspects of Tasks or Functions. The KPU of Bengkulu Province can carry out the duties and functions that have been mandated to it effectively even in the conditions of the Covid-19 pandemic. This can be seen from the tasks and functions given can be carried out entirely. Keywords: kpu; organization; Bengkulu, This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International INTRODUCTION Based on the Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia Year 1945 states that the State of Indonesia is a unitary state in the form of a republic (Article 1 paragraph 1), sovereignty is in the hands of the people and is exercised according to the Constitution (Article 1 paragraph 2). According to Asshiddiqie, (2013) Indonesia is a unitary state that upholds the principle of people's sovereignty, where the people are considered as the owners and holders of the highest power in a country. The implementation of people's sovereignty is manifested in the form of General Elections (Pemilu) and Regional Head Elections (Berawi, 2014). Law of the Republic of Indonesia Number 7 of 2017 concerning General Elections (Article 1 paragraph 1) says that General Elections hereinafter referred to as Elections are https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ Eko Dafella, Achmad Aminudin, Nour Farozi Agus 239 a means of people's sovereignty to elect members of the People's Representative Council, members of the Regional Representative Council, President and Vice President, and to elect members of the Regional People's Representative Council, which is carried out directly, publicly, freely, secretly, honestly and fairly in the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia based on Pancasila and Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia Year 1945. Regional Head Elections or also called Elections for Governors and Vice Governors, Regents and Vice Regents, as well as Mayors and Deputy Mayors hereinafter referred to as Elections are the exercise of people's sovereignty in provincial and regency/city areas to elect Governors and Vice Governors, Regents and Vice Regents, as well as Mayors and Vice Mayors directly and democratically. In the Preamble to the Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia in 1945 Article 22E paragraph 5 says that General Elections are held by a General Election Commission that is national, permanent and independent (Sule et al., 2017). The General Elections Commission (KPU) is a public organization entrusted to carry out its duties as an organizer of Elections and Regional Head Elections. In carrying out its duties, the General Elections Commission is assisted by organizers at the lower levels, namely the Provincial General Election Commission and the District/City General Election Commission. Davidson, (2013) in 2020, Regional Head Elections were held simultaneously throughout Indonesia. Since the implementation of the Regional Head Election (Pilkada) in Indonesia which was held directly starting in 2005, this 2020 regional election is the fourth wave of regional elections. The implementation of the 2020 regional elections took place under different conditions from the previous regional elections due to the outbreak of the Corona Virus Disease (Covid)-19 pandemic that swept the entire world. The 2020 simultaneous elections were held in 270 regions in Indonesia, covering 9 Provinces, 224 Regencies and 37 Cities. Based on the General Election Commission Regulation of the Republic of Indonesia Number 15 of 2019 concerning the Stages, Programs and Schedules for the Election of Governor and Vice Governor, Regent and Vice Regent, and/or Mayor and Deputy Mayor in 2020, it is determined that the day of voting and counting of votes at polling stations for the 2020 Regional Elections is on September 23, 2020. Based on news released by detik,com on April 26, 2020, Indonesia first confirmed a Covid-19 case on Monday, March 2, 2020. At that time, President Joko Widodo announced that two Indonesians had tested positive for the Covid-19 virus. Since then, the surge in cases of transmission of the Covid-19 virus has increased in Indonesia. In order to overcome the spread of Corona Virus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) as a national disaster. The government needs to take extraordinary measures, both at the central and regional levels, to try to control the transmission of the Covid-19 virus so that it does not spread throughout the country. One of the Government's efforts in terms of regulation is to issue a regulation, namely Presidential Decree of the Republic of Indonesia Number 11 of 2020 concerning the Determination of Public Health Emergencies Corona Virus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) which stipulates Corona Virus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) as a type of disease that causes public health emergencies and must be countermeasures in accordance with laws and regulations (Çetin & Oguz, 2007). The spread of Corona Virus Disease 2019 (Covid-19), which has been designated as a national disaster, also has an impact on the implementation of simultaneous Regional Head Elections throughout Indonesia which will be held in 2020. The surge in Covid-19 cases that continued to occur in the country finally made a number of parties speak out and proposed that the implementation of the 2020 regional elections be postponed. Based American Journal of Economic and Management Business Vol. 2 No. 7 July 2023 240 on General Election Commission Regulation Number 16 of 2019, it is determined that the voting and counting of votes at polling stations will be carried out on September 23, 2020. Along with the increase in Covid-19 cases that continue to increase and consider proposals from the community, the General Elections Commission together with the Government and the House of Representatives held a meeting and produced an agreement to postpone the implementation of the 2020 Regional Head elections. Then on May 4, 2020 the Government issued Government Regulation in Lieu of Law (Perpu) Number 2 of 2020 which confirmed that the postponed voting was held in December 2020 (Article 201A paragraph 2). As a follow-up to Perpu Number 2 of 2020, on June 12, 2020, General Election Commission Regulation of the Republic of Indonesia Number 5 of 2020 concerning the Third Amendment to General Election Commission Regulation Number 15 of 2019 concerning Stages, Programs, Schedules for Holding Elections for Governor and Vice Governor, Regent and Vice Regent, and/or Mayor and Vice Mayor in 2020, which stipulates that the simultaneous voting which was postponed due to the non-natural disaster of Corona Virus Disease 2019 (Covid-19), will be held on December 9, 2020 (Article 8C). 2020 is a year of democracy for the people of Bengkulu Province, because in that year the people of Bengkulu Province will exercise their political rights to elect leaders (Governor and Deputy Governor) who will lead them for the next 5 (five) years. The implementation of regional elections in Bengkulu Province, which was held in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, also caused pros and cons in the community. Even though the implementation of regional elections has been postponed, it does not mean that there are no challenges faced, especially until December the Covid-19 pandemic has not shown signs of decreasing. The General Election Commission of Bengkulu Province as the organizer of elections at the Bengkulu Province level continues to strive to carry out its duties to build public confidence that the regional elections, which are still held in the midst of a pandemic, do not cause major problems for public safety (Amrizal et al., 2018). These efforts are carried out, among others, in the form of socialization both face-to-face and online, then voter education, the existence of rules that make interaction between humans must be limited, social restrictions and social distancing or maintaining distance, this is certainly contrary to the spirit of the regional head election stage which usually often interacts with the wider community and gathers large numbers of people, Whether it's in the socialization stage, the implementation of technical guidance or campaigns. This new habit certainly makes many people worry about the quality and legitimacy of local elections, namely the possibility of quiet campaigns, socialization that is not on target, low public participation. According to Towoju, (2021) political participation (society) is the core of democracy. Whether or not a political system is democratic is determined by the high and low level of political participation of its citizens. The minimum standard of democracy is usually free regular elections to guarantee a rotation of state control holders without the removal of any political group. The active participation of citizens in the elections and in the policy-making process, the implementation of human rights is ensured that gives freedom for citizens to organize themselves in free civil organizations or in political parties, and express opinions in public forums and mass media. The things mentioned above make the author interested in knowing whether the General Election Commission (KPU) of Bengkulu Province in the implementation of the 2020 Regional Head Election can carry out its duties and functions effectively (Tanaamah Eko Dafella, Achmad Aminudin, Nour Farozi Agus 241 et al., 2019). Therefore, the author gives a title about this study, namely "The Organizational Effectiveness of the General Election Commission (KPU) of Bengkulu Province in the 2020 Bengkulu Governor and Deputy Governor Elections during the Covid-19 Pandemic. In accordance with the formulation of the problem above, the purpose to be achieved by the author in conducting this research is to determine the organizational effectiveness of the General Election Commission (KPU) of Bengkulu Province in the 2020 Bengkulu Governor and Deputy Governor Elections during the Covid-19 pandemic. RESEARCH METHODS The type of research used is qualitative descriptive with descriptive elaboration, which is a study that aims to obtain an overview of the organizational effectiveness of the General Election Commission (KPU) of Bengkulu Province during the pandemic, the study conducted was during the 2020 Bengkulu Governor and Deputy Governor Elections. Researchers will interact directly with informants in the field to obtain accurate data. The place / location of this research was carried out at the office of the General Election Commission (KPU) Secretariat of Bengkulu Province, which is located at Jalan Kapuas Raya Number 82, West Lingkar Village, Gading Cempaka District, Bengkulu City, Bengkulu Province. Research focus is useful for restrictions on the object of research raised, sharpening and providing limits on the direction of a study. With this limitation, researchers are more focused on understanding the problem that is the goal. To limit the scope so that research does not widen, a research focus is needed. RESULT AND DISCUSSION Gibson & Zellmer-Bruhn, (2001) argues that effectiveness is the achievement of goals and objectives that have been agreed upon to achieve the goals of joint efforts. Based on the results of research that has been conducted, the effectiveness of the General Election Commission (KPU) Organization of Bengkulu Province in the 2020 Bengkulu Governor and Deputy Governor Elections during the Covid-19 pandemic is quite effective. Based on the research aspect of the Organizational Effectiveness of the General Election Commission (KPU) of Bengkulu Province in the 2020 Bengkulu Governor and Deputy Governor Elections during the Covid-19 Pandemic which includes aspects of the duties or functions of the Bengkulu Provincial KPU, the plans or programs of the Bengkulu Provincial KPU, the provisions or regulations of the Bengkulu Provincial KPU and the ideal objectives or conditions of the Bengkulu Provincial KPU have been running effectively. Measurement of the organizational effectiveness of the General Election Commission (KPU) of Bengkulu Province in the 2020 Bengkulu Governor and Deputy Governor Elections during the Covid-19 pandemic can be seen from the aspects of tasks or functions, plans or programs, provisions or regulations and ideal goals or conditions. Aspects of Tasks or Functions American Journal of Economic and Management Business Vol. 2 No. 7 July 2023 242 The effectiveness of the General Election Commission (KPU) organization of Bengkulu Province in the 2020 Bengkulu Governor and Deputy Governor Elections during the Covid-19 pandemic is seen from the tasks and functions that have been running quite effectively. This can be seen from the tasks that have been given can be carried out entirely (Poudel et al., 2017). The KPU of Bengkulu Province was able to complete all the tasks of updating the voter list. Starting from the establishment of the Provisional Voter List to the establishment of the Permanent Voter List (Piccolino, 2015). Then, even during the Covid-19 pandemic, the KPU of Bengkulu Province was able to carry out the task of determining candidates for the Governor and Deputy Governor of Bengkulu in 2020 according to the stage schedule (Ramdani, 2020). Furthermore, the KPU of Bengkulu Province is still able to carry out the task of carrying out the socialization of the 2020 Bengkulu Governor and Deputy Governor Elections in the conditions of the Covid-19 pandemic in accordance with the predetermined schedule and still pay attention to health protocols. In carrying out the determination of the recapitulation of the results of the vote count for the 2020 Bengkulu Governor and Deputy Governor Elections, the Bengkulu Provincial KPU can also carry out its duties properly because it can be carried out according to schedule, in accordance with the provisions and also issued a Bengkulu Provincial KPU Decree regarding the results of the 2020 Bengkulu Governor and Deputy Governor Elections. KPU Bengkulu Province is able to carry out all its duties in the 2020 Bengkulu Governor and Deputy Governor Elections. The task is carried out according to the schedule of stages that have been set (Giatman et al., 2020). Aspects of the plan or programme All plans that have been determined in the stages of the 2020 Bengkulu Governor and Deputy Governor Elections can be implemented according to schedule. The ability to carry out the stages in accordance with the plan, shows that the KPU of Bengkulu Province is able to carry out the plan or program effectively (Grifoni et al., 2013). Aspects of Terms or Regulations Decision making in the implementation of the 2020 Bengkulu Governor and Deputy Governor Elections is based on provisions governing decision-making procedures, namely KPU Regulations related to the stages to be determined. This shows that the KPU of Bengkulu Province can implement provisions or regulations effectively where existing regulations are used as a basis for decision making (Ramadhani et al., 2022). Aspects of Goals or Ideal Conditions. The effectiveness of the General Election Commission (KPU) organization of Bengkulu Province in the 2020 Bengkulu Governor and Deputy Governor Elections during the Covid-19 pandemic is seen from the aspect of goals that have been running effectively. This can be seen from the election of Regional Heads (Governor and Deputy Governor of Bengkulu in 2020) on time and can be accounted for before the law due to a lawsuit to the Constitutional Court. CONCLUSION Eko Dafella, Achmad Aminudin, Nour Farozi Agus 243 From the results of the study, in general, the effectiveness of the General Election Commission (KPU) Organization of Bengkulu Province in the 2020 Bengkulu Governor and Deputy Governor Elections during the Covid-19 pandemic has been quite effective. KPU Bengkulu Province can carry out tasks that are used as research aspects in this study. To find out the effectiveness can be seen from the following data: Aspects of Tasks or Functions. The KPU of Bengkulu Province can carry out the duties and functions that have been mandated to it effectively even in the conditions of the Covid-19 pandemic. This can be seen from the tasks and functions given can be carried out entirely. Aspects of the Plan or Program. The KPU of Bengkulu Province can carry out the plans and programs that have been set quite effectively. This can be seen from the compatibility between the plan that has been set and its implementation. Even in the conditions of the Covid-19 pandemic, the KPU of Bengkulu Province is able to carry out all programs that have been stated in PKPU Number 5 of 2020 concerning Stages, Programs and Schedules for the Stages of the 2020 Bengkulu Governor and Deputy Governor Elections. Aspects of Terms or Regulations. Overall, the KPU of Bengkulu Province complies with the existing rules and regulations in decision making. This can be seen from the decisions taken based on the applicable KPU Regulations. So it can be said that the KPU of Bengkulu Province can carry out this aspect of provisions effectively. Aspects of Goals or Ideal Conditions. In carrying out its duties to achieve its goals, the KPU of Bengkulu Province can perform effectively. 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