PORTALJABAR, BANDUNG CITY - Although the next election will be held in 3 years, the Deputy Mayor of Bandung, Erwin, said that the role of the community is very important in overseeing democracy through participatory supervision in order to realize honesty, fairness, transparency, and dignity.

He conveyed this when opening the 2026 Participatory Supervisory Education (P2P) with the theme "Functioning and Moving for a Dignified 2029 Election" which was held by the Bandung City Election Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) at the Bandung City Bawaslu Office, Tuesday (21/7/2026).

Erwin appreciated the implementation of this education because it was considered a strategic step in producing participatory supervisory cadres who have integrity and concern for the democratic process.

"On behalf of the Bandung City Government, I express my utmost appreciation for this initiative. Participatory supervisory education will produce new supervisors with integrity and increase public understanding, capacity, and awareness to participate in overseeing the democratic process," said Erwin.

He believes that the quality of democracy is not solely the responsibility of election organizers but also requires the active involvement of all elements of society. Therefore, the presence of various community elements, from neighborhood association (RW) administrators and community organizations to youth organizations and students, in these activities is crucial for strengthening participatory oversight.

"Quality democracy requires the participation of all parties. Participatory oversight is a concrete manifestation of citizen concern for safeguarding the dignity of the people's voice and preventing violations that undermine democratic values," he said.

Erwin hopes that the theme carried in this education will be able to produce a society that is increasingly intelligent, critical, caring, and brave enough to take a role in overseeing each stage of the election in accordance with legal regulations and democratic ethics.

He also ensured that the Bandung City Government is committed to continuing to work with Bawaslu to improve the quality of democracy in Bandung City.

"With strong collaboration, I am optimistic that we can achieve a 2029 election that is safe, peaceful, inclusive, and based on integrity, and truly reflects the sovereignty of the people," he said.

Furthermore, Erwin encouraged all participants to use the education as a learning space and strengthen collaboration within the community. He urged them to become agents of democratic literacy, capable of countering misleading information and educating the public on how to exercise their right to vote responsibly.

"Become literacy agents in your respective communities. Spread the spirit of democracy, counter misleading information, and encourage the public to exercise their right to vote responsibly," he urged.

Erwin hopes that the spirit of professionalism can be passed on to the participants of the Participatory Supervisory Education so that supervisors will be born who work with full integrity and sincerity for the benefit of the community.

"Being a supervisor is intended for the glory of God, to produce leaders and representatives who truly benefit the community. Let's work together to realize honest, fair, and transparent elections, and produce political figures with integrity," he hoped.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Supervision and Public Relations Sub-Division (Humas) of the Bandung City Election Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu), Hazmi Nawawi Sofian, explained that the 2026 Participatory Supervisory Education is one of Bawaslu's priority programs in increasing the capacity of participatory supervisory cadres as drivers of supervision in the community.

He stated that the activity was a follow-up to the Decision of the Chairman of Bawaslu regarding the Implementation Standards for Participatory Supervisory Education.

"This activity was attended by 20 participants from the Participatory Supervisory Cadre School (SKPP) alumni, P2P alumni, community elements, organizations, and students," said Hazmi.

During the implementation of the activity, participants participated in various stages of learning starting from the opening, pre-test, in-depth study of the material with resource persons, interactive discussions, to post-tests as an evaluation of learning outcomes.

Hazmi hopes that this education will produce active, participatory supervisory cadres capable of educating the public and strengthening a culture of joint supervision in preparation for the 2029 General Election.

"Hopefully, the 2026 Participatory Supervisory Education will produce active, functional, and proactive supervisory cadres who will strengthen democracy and participatory supervision towards a dignified 2029 Election," he concluded.

(Bandung City Information and Communications Office/rka)