ARGUMENTATIVE TEXT : THE POWER OF MONEY IN ELECTIONS

General elections in Indonesia are closely related to the process of selecting leaders. Elections as a form of democracy and one of the important aspects that must be carried out democratically.  But not all elections are democratic. Because democratic elections are not just symbols, but elections that must be competitive, periodic, inclusive, and definitive to determine the government. However, every time the election agenda is held, the issue of political money is always the subject of public discussion.

Money politics is part of an election corruption scandal and a key issue among other electoral violations. In accordance with the general definition, money politics may simply be associated with the practice of buying votes. Even though money politics in the sense of the influence of money in elections is not just a practice of buying votes, but the entire practice at every stage of the election that can be influenced by money.

The reason the public generally agrees to judge the practice of money politics is a disease and also an enemy of democracy. But, when the campaign period begins, candidates also move to take advantage of the political space of money. Ironically, some citizens are even permissive towards the practice of money politics. Even many moneys political practices were recorded on video and widely circulated on social media, but were never addressed by the Supervisors of Elections because no members of the public submitted reports of alleged violations.

Citizens tend to be permissive in accepting the presence of money politics practices. Although many citizens reject, denounce, and hate the practice of money politics. However, there are still some people waiting for when the practice of money politics will come. Indeed, the practice of money politics in holding elections can hurt democratization, damage the political system, tarnish the fairness of the political process or further invalidate the results of the political process.

This shows that money politics is a serious problem in the administration of elections. Moreover, Indonesia as a country that chooses a government in the form of a democratic system. This shows that the holding of elections not only serves as a means for succession of power, but also as a mirror for the civilization of a nation. That is, the holding of good elections must reflect the moral and ethical values and honesty adopted by the people of a nation. Thus, holding good elections will help build a better and more dignified civilization.