The Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FISIPOL UGM), continues to demonstrate its contribution to advancing knowledge through international scholarly publications. Arya Budi, S.I.P., MAPS, a lecturer from the Department of Politics and Government (DPP) FISIPOL UGM, has successfully published his research article in the peer-reviewed international journal Studia Politica Polonica, published by De Gruyter Brill.
The article, titled “Estimating Crowd: Electoral Adjustment and Spatial Effects of Turnout During the Covid-19 Pandemic,” discusses a timely and relevant theme: how the Covid-19 pandemic influenced voter behavior during local elections, with a particular focus on the 2020 Surabaya mayoral election.
In his article, Arya Budi explores the spatial dimension of voter participation during a public health crisis. Using spatial econometric models, the study investigates the extent to which geographic proximity to Covid-19 cases and administrative interventions—such as reducing the number of voters per polling station—affected electoral turnout.
📊 Key Findings:
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Spatial effects significantly contributed to the increase in voter turnout during the pandemic.
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Administrative adjustments, such as reducing the number of voters per polling station, proved effective in boosting participation by alleviating voter concerns about crowding.
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While spatial effects already existed before the pandemic, their influence became significantly stronger during the health crisis.
This research not only enriches the academic discourse on voter behavior but also offers practical policy implications for designing elections that are more adaptive, safe, and participatory in times of crisis.
Through this work, FISIPOL UGM reaffirms its commitment to producing research that is both academically rigorous and socially relevant, showcasing how scholars can play a strategic role in shaping evidence-based public policy.
Relevant SDGs (Integrated in the Narrative)
This study relates directly to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
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SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being: by addressing how public health crises like Covid-19 affect democratic participation.
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SDG 16 – Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions: by contributing to more inclusive, safe, and participatory electoral governance.
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SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities: by ensuring that electoral participation remains accessible despite health-related and spatial barriers.