Split Voting and Management of Public Service Issues

Split Voting and Management of Public Service Issues

This time the Klungkung regional election battle will not be different from other regions. Most prospective voters tend to have split political choices. In the study of voting behavior, this condition is categorized as a phenomenon of split voting (Asfar, 2004). Split voting is a situation of dealignment politics, which is marked by an increase in the number of abstentions, a high number of swing voters, and an increase in votes in candidates nominated by a third party (in this context the party that has no majority in the local parliament). Split voting usually occurs with rational voters. Split voting occurs with increasing public education, expanding access to information, and guaranteeing freedom of political choice.

Voters who have divided political choices generally have an adequate educational background. Rational voters usually use the profit and loss calculation in determining their political choices. This calculation is not the same as economic calculation, because it cannot be enjoyed instantly or realized in a short time. Political choice of voters refers to the package of pairs of candidates for regent and vice regent who are considered to have an aspirational program offer according to the preferences of each candidate. The pair of candidates for regent and deputy regent who have the ability to predict and manage the "wind direction" of split voting is the one who is likely to excel in the Klungkung regional election this time. In short, voters look for and make choices on pairs of candidates for regional heads who are considered committed in managing public service issues. The Regent and Deputy Regent are the closest manifestations of public service to the community. The fight is not only focused on the origin of figures who carry the idealistic program, but figures who have a solutive offer related to public services, including the parameters and indicators of each program's achievement.
Klungkung is the smallest-populated district in Bali with 174,073 inhabitants (BPS 2011) and inhabits four subdistricts, one third of which is located on the mainland of the island of Bali and two-thirds in the Nusa Penida Islands.

There is a typology of public service issues that are considered problematic and intensely highlighted by the local media in the last three years. This dominant issue appears comparable to the achievements of the Klungkung Human Development Index (HDI) of 71.02. Achievement of numbers whose indicators include Life Expectancy, Literacy Rate, Average Length of School and Expenditure per Capita is considered slow so that Klungkung is ranked 8th out of 9 regencies and cities in Bali.

Issues related to health services occupy the top position related to the issue of availability of medical personnel, - including specialist doctors -, as well as improvement of facilities, pre-facility health centers, pustu and regional public hospitals. Based on the BPS report, 40.03% of Klungkung residents still make the choice of treatment at the puskesmas and pustu by considering location proximity, low cost and JKBM. Only in the Nusa Penida islands, health services are constrained by the availability of advanced infrastructure (specialist). This condition also affects the high cost of services imposed on residents of the island which is inhabited by 47,807 people.

Other issues related to sanitation and economic growth. On sanitation issues including access to clean water, 21.15% of households in Klungkung apparently have not been accessed by clean water, including upper Nusa Penida residents who still access drinking water from rain water collected in cavities. The management of communal WWTPs, particularly the imposition of latrine fees (WC) based on Perda No. 12/2012, leaves unbalanced tariffs between Klungkung mainland (Klungkung, Banjarangkan and Dawan) and Nusa Penida which must bear far more expensive service costs.

On the issue of local economic growth, Klungkung leaves problems related to economic infrastructure networks, especially roads and traditional markets. In addition to 64 km of road conditions in Klungkung declared severe damage in 2011, the improvement (revitalization) of traditional market facilities and infrastructure is also being demanded by residents of Klungkung. This condition is considered unbalanced by the imposition of market levies on all traders in Klungkung which leaves a variety of polemic even though it has been established. Regarding basic administrative services, the issue raised was the low level of citizen ownership and the inequality of the birth certificate ratification rates between the subdistricts in Klungkung mainland and the Nusa Penida sub-districts which are still high cost.

Seeing this typology, the challenge is then how the four pairs of candidates for regent and deputy regent of Klungkung have the ability to register a strategic program with clear parameters and indicators. Anyone who is chosen is certainly expected to explain the commitment to managing public service issues in the RPJMD. Certainly, rational voting split in each region that encounters the above issues tends to make choices on candidates who are committed to a variety of bargaining.