DELI SERDANG | INDATANEWS.COM - The Deli Serdang Regency Government, through the National Unity and Political Agency (Kesbangpol), provided political education to 150 first-time voters from five schools in Lubuk Pakam. The event was held on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at the auditorium of the Methodist Private High School in Lubuk Pakam. The program aimed to give young people a better understanding of their political rights and responsibilities while encouraging greater participation in democratic life.
The acting head of Kesbangpol Deli Serdang, Anwar Sadat, said political education is an important part of preparing young people to exercise their voting rights wisely and responsibly.
"We are preparing the younger generation and strengthening democracy," he said.
Anwar explained that a quality democracy grows from a society that understands its rights, recognizes its responsibilities and is capable of making thoughtful decisions. Therefore, he said, it is important for first-time voters to gain an adequate understanding before exercising their political rights for the first time.
"This activity provides first-time voters with a space to learn and engage in dialogue so they can understand democracy, their rights and responsibilities as citizens, the importance of identity and population documents, as well as how to exercise their voting rights wisely, responsibly and with integrity," he explained.
Helping First-Time Voters Understand Their Political Rights
Anwar emphasized that the younger generation holds a strategic position in determining the future direction and quality of democracy. In his view, the first experience of exercising voting rights must be accompanied by an awareness that every political decision can have an impact on people's lives.
"Every vote counts. Every decision has consequences. The young generation of today determines the quality of tomorrow's democracy," he said.
Through political education, Kesbangpol Deli Serdang is not only providing knowledge about democratic processes but also encouraging students to understand the importance of public participation in the life of the nation and state.
This understanding is expected to help first-time voters recognize their political rights, fulfill their responsibilities as citizens and deal with political information more critically. With this knowledge, young people are expected not to make voting decisions recklessly because of pressure, misinformation or short-term interests.
PREPARING A WISE YOUNGER GENERATION: Acting Head of Kesbangpol Deli Serdang Anwar Sadat emphasizes the importance of political education in preparing young people to become wise and responsible voters. (PHOTO: Edi Saputra)
Promoting a Respectful Political Culture
The head of the Domestic Politics Division at Kesbangpol Deli Serdang, Hosianna Br. Girsang, said the activity also pursued a broader objective: building a respectful, thoughtful and responsible political ethic and culture among young people.
"Through this activity, we hope first-time voters will understand their political rights and responsibilities while developing a respectful, thoughtful and responsible political ethic and culture," she said.
Hosianna believes that the development of a political culture must begin with the younger generation. The students participating in the activity belong to a segment of the population that will soon take part more extensively in political life. Political education is therefore an important instrument for instilling democratic values while strengthening awareness of the importance of integrity in exercising political rights.
The event carried the theme, "Strengthening Public Political Awareness to Realize a Wise, Respectful and Integrity-Based Democracy." The theme served as the foundation for the activities and was intended to encourage participants not only to understand election mechanisms but also to develop a mature attitude when exercising their political rights.
Participants came from five schools in Lubuk Pakam and surrounding areas: SMA Negeri 1 Lubuk Pakam, SMA Negeri 2 Lubuk Pakam, SMA Nusantara Lubuk Pakam, MAN 2 Deli Serdang and the Methodist Private High School in Lubuk Pakam.
UNDERSTANDING POLITICAL RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Head of the Domestic Politics Division at Kesbangpol Deli Serdang Hosianna Br. Girsang urges first-time voters to understand their political rights and responsibilities and develop a respectful, thoughtful and responsible political ethic and culture. (PHOTO: Edi Saputra)
Strengthening Knowledge Through Public Services
To broaden the participants' knowledge, the Deli Serdang Government invited speakers from various sectors, including election organizers, regional government representatives and community organizations. The Deli Serdang General Elections Commission (KPU) and the Deli Serdang Population and Civil Registration Agency also took part in delivering the material.
The presence of election organizers gave participants an opportunity to gain a better understanding of the role of voters in the democratic process. Meanwhile, the Population and Civil Registration Agency explained the importance of population documents as an essential component in exercising citizens' rights.
The Deli Serdang Government also combined political education with public services for students. The regional government provided electronic registration services for the electronic identity card, known as KTP-el, to students who met the required criteria.
The service made it easier for students who had reached the legally prescribed age for holding population documents to complete the registration process. At the same time, it reinforced their understanding that complete population documentation is connected to the exercise of various civil rights.
In addition to KTP-el registration, the Deli Serdang Government provided free health checkups for students and other participants. The service complemented the event and provided an immediate practical benefit to citizens attending the information session.
Through the activity, the Deli Serdang Government sought to bring together political education, the strengthening of democratic awareness, population administration services and public health promotion. The approach was designed to provide first-time voters with a more comprehensive experience.
The political education program for the 150 students also served as an important moment to strengthen awareness that democracy does not end with the holding of elections. Democracy requires an active society that understands its rights and responsibilities, respects different political choices and is capable of making decisions based on careful consideration.
With this understanding, young people are expected to become voters who not only exercise their voting rights but also maintain integrity and a respectful attitude in democratic life. Political awareness developed from an early age is an important foundation for building a wise, respectful and integrity-based democratic society in Deli Serdang. (IDNC)
REPORTER: Edi Saputra | EDITOR: Fik Sagala