EFFORTS OF GENERAL ELECTIONS COMMISSION (GEC) OF SLEMAN REGENCY TO INCREASE BEGINNER VOTERS’ PARTICIPATION IN THE 2015 SIMULTANEOUS REGIONAL ELECTIONS (A Study at SMAN 2 Sleman)

Abstract

Abstract

This study aimed to describe efforts made and constraints faced by GEC of Sleman Regency to increase beginner voters’ participation in the 2015 simultaneous regional elections. This was a descriptive study employing the qualitative approach. The research subjects were the commissioner of GEC of Sleman Regency serving as the Head of Division of Socialization, Voter Education, and Public Relations, teachers, and student representatives of SMAN 2 Sleman. The data were collected through interviews and observations. The data trustworthiness was enhanced by the cross check technique. The data analysis was the inductive data analysis consisting of data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing. The results of the study were as follows. First, the efforts that GEC of Sleman made which had significant impacts to increase beginner voters’ participation in the 2015 simultaneous regional elections were TOT (for student council president election and for Civic Education teachers) and quiz competitions. Second, the beginner voters’ participation in the 2015 simultaneous regional elections in Sleman Regency was 72.69%, indicating that their participation increased from 70.23% in the 2010 simultaneous regional elections. Third, the constraints that GEC of Sleman faced in the 2015 simultaneous regional elections were constraints in quantity, namely the lack of human resources in the socialization and the difficulty in delivering information to disabled voters.

Keywords: beginner voters’ participation, efforts and constraints of GEC of Sleman