The Faculty of Social and Political Sciences of Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara (FISIP UMSU) is ready to participate in supporting and guarding the implementation of the North Sumatra Governor Election (Pilgubsu) and the simultaneous Regency / City Regional Head Election (Pilkada) on 27 November 2024.
Activities involving students are packaged in a programme entitled ‘FISIP UMSU Supports and Escorts Pilgubsu and Regency / City Simultaneous Elections 2024’.
The ceremony of releasing FISIP UMSU students ‘Dujung and Kawal Pilkada’ was carried out directly by the Rector, Prof.Dr.Agussani, MAP represented by Vice Rector III, Dr.Rudianto, MSil together with Robby Effendy Hutagalung, Head of the North Sumatra KPU Human Resources, Research and Development Division, Payung Harahap, North Sumatra Bawaslu Legal, Education and Training Division Coordinator and FISIP Dean, Dr. Arifin Saleh Siregar, MSP.
Vice Rector III of UMSU, Dr Rudianto, M.Si., appreciated the enthusiasm of FISIP UMSU students who enthusiastically participated in this event. According to him, students have great potential to become the driving force of change in society, especially in creating a safe, honest, and transparent election atmosphere.
‘We appreciate the activities and participation of FISIP UMSU students. The involvement of students to support and oversee the 2024 simultaneous elections is not just a form of support, but also shows their awareness of the importance of maintaining an honest and fair democracy.
‘With the words Bismalah, I release and depart FISIP students and lecturers to take part in this programme,’ said Rudianto at the student release ceremony held in the courtyard of the FISIP UMSU building on Jalan Kapten M Basri, Saturday (16/11).
Previously, the Dean of FISIP UMSU, Dr Arifin Saleh Siregar, MSP explained that the activity ‘Support and Guard the 2024 Simultaneous Pilkada is an agenda that is carried out every moment of the Presidential Election, legislative and regional elections. This is a form of support as well as active participation in the success of the democratic party being held.
‘This activity is also proof of the involvement of FISIP UMSU students and lecturers in actively participating in the success and guarding the implementation of the Pilkadal. simultaneously in 2024,’ he said.
Arifin further explained that this programme is intended for all FISIP students and lecturers totalling 1,700. The entire FISIP academic community is asked to come and vote at the polling station. Furthermore, lecturers and students are asked to capture their activities with selfies and the atmosphere at the polling station and record the results of votes at the polling station.
All photos and data on the voting day are then entered into the online link that has been prepared and previously shared.
Meanwhile, Payung Harahap, as the Coordinator of the Legal, Education and Training Division of Bawaslu North Sumatra on the occasion welcomed the enthusiastic activities carried out by FISIP UMSU. ‘Apart from supporting the implementation of the Pilkada, this is also classified as participatory supervision of the simultaneous Pilkada carried out by students. This will definitely help Bawaslu in terms of supervision and thank you very much for this FISIP UMSU initiative,’ he said.
Payung Harahap also explained that students have a strategic position to participate in monitoring and ensuring that there are no violations in the election process. Collaboration between students and Bawaslu is very important in educating the public about elections with integrity. ‘Students are the guardians of democracy. We hope that their presence will strengthen Bawaslu’s efforts to prevent violations and build healthy political awareness,’ he said.
Previously, Robby Effendy Hutagalung, Head of the Human Resources, Research and Development Division of the North Sumatra KPU, conveyed the importance of the role of the younger generation, especially students, in supporting the democratic process in North Sumatra. 
