PORTALJABAR, BANDUNG CITY - The West Java General Election Commission (KPU) successfully held an Election Stand Up Comedy contest which took place at the West Java KPU Office, Bandung City, Wednesday (11/9/2024).

The Chairperson of the West Java KPU, Ummi Wahyuni, said that this solo comedy contest was the first to be held after 10 years of her service at this election organizing institution.

"I really appreciate it, honestly, it's amazing that Kang Hedi has put together today's activities, how to offer voter education to friends in the community to get different innovations," said Ummi.

According to Ummi, through the Election Stand Up Comedy contest, the West Java KPU wants to create this democratic party in accordance with the theme of the 2024 Pilkada, namely the Joy of Direct Election (Gemilang).

"After 10 years at the KPU, this is the first time we have held a competition like this by inviting the Stand Up community and we want to be in accordance with the theme of the West Java Provincial KPU today 'GEMILANG' Happy to Choose Directly," he said.

Therefore, Ummi invites all elements of society to jointly create the 2024 Pilkada which will take place on November 27 with joy.

"Let's make the implementation of democracy, our simultaneous regional election party in West Java joyful, come on November 27, 2024 with joy. Bring all relatives, invite the community to come to the TPS, to elect their respective regional leaders," he said.

Head of the Division of Socialization, Voter Education, and Community Participation of the West Java KPU, Hedi Ardia, said that this solo comedy contest will also be held at the regional KPU level.

"After the West Java KPU held an activity like this, in the next few days all district/city KPUs will hold similar activities," said Hedi.

Hedi also invited participants who had participated in the Stand Up Comedy Election at the provincial level to return to participate in the exciting contest in their respective regions.

"Just consider this a warm-up, friends, because the district/city KPU will be carrying out similar activities. Hopefully, we can join in enlivening the activities in each district/city," he said.

According to Hedi, the technical aspects of participant selection and judging will be the same as those carried out by the West Java KPU.

"It's more or less like what the province did, making announcements to attract as many participants as possible, utilizing social media or any media that could spread information about this activity," explained Hedi.

"Next, there will be an audition, then 10 will be selected to enter the Grand Final," he added.

One of the judges, Kamal Ocon, said that originality and presentation of the material were some of the assessment materials in this contest.

"There are several assessments from the jury such as Delivery, originality of the material and pitch control. The duration is also only 4 minutes so the participants must also be disciplined with time," explained Kamal.

In addition, contestant material must not be biased towards a particular candidate or political party.

"There are also regulations regarding the material, it cannot benefit one candidate or party, it cannot be rude, it cannot be pornographic," he said.

Meanwhile, Aldi Burik, who was chosen as the first winner, said that he found out about the Election Stand Up Comedy contest from the Stand Up Indo Kuningan community.

"My friend who has followed the West Java KPU Instagram, he spread the word that there will be a Stand Up competition at the West Java KPU," said Aldi.

"After being shared, the children were moved to send videos and take part in the qualifying round. Thank God, my video was chosen and I passed. Thank God, here (Grand Final) it was also my fortune and I won," he added.

Aldi hopes that this activity will continue to voice the election which is packaged with elements of comedy.

"The main thing is that this competition activity should continue to exist, because it is part of voicing the election and we can also enliven it with comedy," he said.

"And it shouldn't just be at the West Java level, but it must be spread evenly to remote districts and cities so that this is truly festive," concluded Aldi.

The following is a list of participants and winners of the West Java KPU Election Stand Up Comedy:

- Aldi Burik - Kuningan (1st Place)

- Yadi Badott - Bandung (2nd Place)

- Opik Ghaling - Bandung (3rd Place)

- Darda Dhamara - Bogor

- Cans - Bandung

- Ferry Oday - Cimahi

- Chincans - Bandung

- Deef Kobun - Bandung

- Revelation of Nature - Sukabumi

- Farhan Magic - Bandung

(Paranoid)