Peran dan Tanggung Jawab Bawaslu terhadap Pencegahan Money Politic dalam Pelaksanaan Pemilihan Kepala Daerah Kabupaten Mandailing Natal

Abstract

The role of the Election Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) is crucial in preventing election violations. Bawaslu must coordinate, guide, monitor, and evaluate the election organizers. Coordinate with relevant government agencies and increase public participation in election supervision in accordance with Law Number 10 of 2016 concerning Regional Elections. Every level, from the Province to the Village, has its own supervisors, but violations in the election process, such as money politics, are still frequently encountered, which repeatedly occur in every election. The current mode of money politics is no longer easy to detect due to the ease of transactions through digital platforms. The forms of gifts are not limited to cash alone, but also in the form of goods and services. This study focuses on the supervision of the implementation of regional head elections by Bawaslu Mandailing Natal Regency in preventing money politics. There are two issues of discussion, namely how regulations regulate the role of Bawaslu in preventing money politics practices and how Bawaslu's responsibility is in preventing money politics in the implementation of regional head elections in Mandailing Natal Regency. The methodology used in this study is empirical research. This study concludes that the role of Bawaslu in preventing money politics practices in regional head elections in Mandailing Natal Regency has a significant impact on the integrity and fairness of the democratization process according to the Law. Bawaslu's responsibility in preventing money politics in the implementation of regional head elections in Mandailing Natal Regency has not been maximized, money politics still occurs but always stops at the discus sion of the Gakkumdu center. Bawaslu's responsibility is not enough with prevention and handling efforts alone, but Bawaslu must have a special strategy for handling and preventing money politics practices, especially for remote areas that are far from supervision. The obstacle faced by the Bawaslu of Mandailing Natal Regency in preventing money politics is the limited space for maneuver provided by regulations. Provisions for taking action against money politics will not be effective if the regulations are not in line with the conditions on the ground.