Courting young voters
Gibran once said in a TV interview that approaching young people cannot be done in old-fashioned ways. It requires a different, specific approach, because young voters have their unique needs, values and concerns.
They are focused on issues such as the environment, tourism, education, employment, mental health and technology. Therefore, the strategies to encourage young voter participation must be linked to these issues. There are at least six strategies that can be adopted.
First, the use of digital platforms on which young voters tend to be active. A strong and engaging online campaign through social media, podcasts and other digital platforms is one means to reach them.
Second, focus on issues that are relevant to them. Understanding and listening to the issues that matter the most to young voters is the first step. Launching campaigns that highlight these will increase their interest in the political process.
Third, targeted political education. Educating young voters about the importance of political participation and the significance of their votes. This can be done through targeted and straightforward political education programs.
This step can be taken by creating and providing opportunities for young voters to be actively involved in the political process, for example through events, discussions or social activities that build a strong sense of belonging to the political process.
Fourth, create a creative and attractive campaign using interesting visual content, such as short videos and memes or the use of influencers or key opinion leaders, as an effective way to attract their attention.
Fifth, show transparency and honesty. Building trust by providing clear, transparent and honest information about goals, plans and policies will increase their participation.
Sixth, collaboration with young and accomplished leaders. Involving youth figures or leaders who have influence and achievements in various fields can give them inspiration and boost their motivation.
Potential win by absolute majority
Prabowo-Gibran has shown that they are embracing these strategies. This can be seen in Gibran’s natural and authentic approaches because he belong to the youth group. He can relate to them and has a profound understanding of what issues are relevant for them.
One of the most interesting things is how Gibran pays special attention to the development of e-sports. He is known to have held e-sports competitions several times, winning the support of game-loving community in the process.
In contrast to the statements of a senior politician, who questions the merit of having a fast internet connection, Gibran really understands how important broadband speed is. Gibran even has a vision to make Solo the city with the fastest internet connection.
Under Gibran’s leadership, Solo City administration has collaborated with Huawei Indonesia to develop the Gigaband City all-optical network infrastructure, making it the first model city in Indonesia to host the initiative.
In short, if Prabowo-Gibran succeeds in bringing the massive young voters to their fold, an absolute majority victory is assured, let alone with the additional votes from established voters.
More importantly, Prabowo-Gibran must also seize the voting blocs that constitute the strength of Ganjar’s and Anies’ camps. For example, the underprivileged and marginalized, who form the lion’s share of PDI-P’s base voters.
Prabowo-Gibran’s election division must be able to convey a crystal-clear message that they side with the marginalized groups. As stated in the social contract theory, the raison d’etre of the state is to guarantee the welfare of its citizens.
Meanwhile, Anies’s base voters are the Islamic groups. They must also be won over. This effort has been made by appointing charismatic cleric Habib Luthf bin Yahya as a member of the election division’s Board of Patrons.
It will be interesting to watch the battle for East Java, the province seen as the competitive arena in the 2024 Presidential election, because it has the largest number of swing voters. It is also the stronghold of the Nahdliyin (members of Nahdlatul Ulama/ NU, the largest Islamic organization in Indonesia).
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We can see this battle playing out in the choice of key East Java-origin figures in all camps. Ganjar’s VP pick was no coincidence, as Mahfud MD is a respected NU fgure from Madura. The Coalition for Change has PKB Chairman Muhaimin Iskandar as Anies’s VP candidate. Muhaimin is known to have a strong and extensive network of support from NU clerics and Islamic boarding schools in the key province.
Meanwhile, KIM appointed incumbent East Java governor Khoffah Indar Parawansa and former governor Soekarwo (Pakde Karwo) as the “field commanders”.
To sum up, Prabowo-Gibran can win with an absolute majority if they focus on three-pronged attacks － young voters, base voters of the other camps and East Java.