Yogyakarta (03/02) – The Research and Innovation Institute of Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta with Center for Gender, Children, Elderly and Disability Studies of Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta in collaboration with the General Election Commission (KPU) of Bantul Regency held a socialization activity for the 2024 elections for people with disabilities. The event took place at Ros in Hotel Yogyakarta on Saturday, February 3, 2024. The event, which was initiated by the Bantul Regency KPU, invited several stakeholders related to the implementation of elections including the Management and Members of the Muhammadiyah Disability Association (HIDIMU) Bantul Regency, Representatives of the Indonesian Disability Association (PPDI) Bantul Regency, Representatives of the Indonesian Disabled Women’s Association (HWDI) Bantul Regency, Representatives of the Indonesian Blind Association (PERTUNI) Bantul Regency, Representatives of the Movement for the Welfare of the Indonesian Deaf (GERKATIN) Bantul Regency and other relevant stakeholders.

This jointly initiated socialization activity encourages people with disabilities to be active in the upcoming political contestation. This socialization discusses increasing voter participation of the elderly and disabled in the 2024 elections, fulfilling the political rights of the elderly and disabled in 2024 and socializing voter education for the disabled in the 2024 elections. The general election democratic party is a manifestation of the people’s sovereignty to elect leaders and representatives in the government.

As well as the political rights of persons with disabilities have been guaranteed in Law Number 7 Year 2017 Article 350 paragraph 2 which regulates polling stations (TPS) that are easily accessible and guarantees the right of every voter to be able to vote directly, freely and confidentially. This socialization event is certainly an important agenda to ensure that the political rights of voters with disabilities and the elderly in the 2024 elections can be accommodated properly. In relation to the organization of general elections for voters with disabilities and the elderly, it must consider aspects of accessibility.

Socialization of the 2024 general election for voters with disabilities and the elderly is an important effort to ensure the active participation of these groups in the democratic process. Various studies have also highlighted the importance of political socialization and political education for first-time voters, including voters with disabilities and the elderly, ahead of the 2024 General Elections (Indrawan, 2023; Akhmad et al., 2023). However, there are challenges in socializing elections for voters with disabilities. Other research shows that inclusive elections for voters with disabilities in the 2020 Simultaneous Elections amid the COVID-19 pandemic face various challenges (Amrurobbi et al., 2021).

In the context of elderly voters, there needs to be a special approach that takes into account the needs and limitations of this group. Election socialization for elderly voters needs to be tailored to their characteristics and special needs, so that they can participate in the democratic process optimally.

Based on these various studies, it can be concluded that the socialization of the 2024 general elections for voters with disabilities and the elderly is an important part of ensuring the active participation of these two groups in the democratic process. Special approaches and well-planned strategies are needed to ensure that voters with disabilities and the elderly can participate in elections optimally.