Youth not ‘an election commodity’, say young Indonesian politicians

Young and involved in Indonesia: But are they truly consulted, analysts and young politicians are asking. These are youth activists taking part in a Global Climate Strike against climate change in Jakarta on March 3. — Reuters

YOUNG politicians are speaking up about the age-old quandary of how first-time voters are being catered to in the upcoming 2024 general elections in Indonesia, amid mounting concerns that the country's youth are only seen as a commodity with little regard for their actual political aspirations.

According to election data analysed by the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), the 17-39 age demographic is set to make up 60% of voters in the 2024 general elections – and many proponents of youth are starting to speak up about ways to improve the system.