The First Test for the KPU

Alleged manipulation of data from the results of the factual verification of political parties has become the first test for the election organizer since the election stage began.

ADRYAN YOGA PARAMADWYA

KPU RI chairman Hasyim Asy'ari (center) together with members of the RI KPU inaugurated the mascot and jingle for the 2024 election at the Beach City Entertainment Center, Ancol, North Jakarta, Friday (2/12/2022).

As reported by this daily, on Monday (12/12/2022), a number of members of the General Elections Commission (KPU) claimed they were asked to sign the results of a factual verification of one of the parties which had not yet met the requirements. It was also mentioned that there was pressure on KPU members who were not willing to sign the results.

Related to this, KPU chairman Hasyim Asy'ari stated his office had implemented an open and accountable principle in the verification of political parties. He emphasized it was not true that there was a lure for KPU members in the region to change the results or that there was pressure on those who rejected instructions to change the results.

Also read:

> Results of Political Parties’ Factual Verification Allegedly Manipulated

> Political Party Verification Determinant

There are nine political parties that are now in the process of factual verification. They are the Indonesian Gelora Party, the Perindo Party, the Hanura Party, the Garuda Party, the Nusantara Awakening Party, the Crescent Star Party (PBB), the Ummat Party, the Indonesian Solidarity Party and the Labor Party.

The nine parties, along with nine other parties that already have seats in the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR), were declared to have passed an administrative verification by the KPU. However, to become participants in the 2024 general election, the nine parties that did not pass the 2019 parliamentary threshold and new parties must first pass factual verification.

KOMPAS/RONY ARIYANTO NUGROHO

Screenshot of KPU officials verifying the administrative requirements of political parties' requirements for candidates for the 2024 Election at the Borobudur Hotel, Jakarta, Sunday (7/8/2022).

The issues related to the verification of political parties is not a new one. The PBB and the Justice and Unity Party (PKP) were once declared not to have passed the verification process in order to participate in the 2019 elections by the KPU. However, the PBB finally joined the elections because of the decision by the Bawaslu (Elections Supervisory Agency). The PKP also participated in the elections because of a decision by the State Administrative Court.

Looking at previous elections, there were problems that arose at every stage of the elections. That is not a new problem. For example, when determining the voter’s list, the problems that usually arise are related to contrasting data or unregistered voters. Meanwhile, disputes about the results usually become a problem after the voting.

Also read:

> Encouraging Participation from the Beginning

> Waiting for Political Parties’ Awareness

The number of problems that arise, including those that now emerge in party verification, are not new problems. Election organizers, namely the KPU, Bawaslu and the Election Organizer Honorary Board (DKPP), should have a strategy to anticipate this. If we want to learn from history, efforts to prevent the appearance of these problems should have been made.

Polemics related to factual verification may be called the first problem that arose after the first stage of the 2024 elections began on June 14. The settlement of these cases is not only a measure of the professionalism of the organizer, especially the KPU, but also a measure of our sincerity in holding the 2024 elections and maintaining democracy.

This article was translated by Hyginus Hardoyo.