KPU Evaluates 2024 Regional Elections, Problematic Organizers Asked Not to Be Involved Again in PSU

JAKARTA, KOMPAS – The General Elections Commission, or KPU, is conducting a comprehensive evaluation of the 2024 Regional Head Elections, or Pilkada, including the annulment of election results in 24 regions by the Constitutional Court, which necessitates a re-vote.

This evaluation touches on the organizers of the ad hoc regional elections, such as the District Election Committee (PPK), the Voting Committee (PPS) and the Voting Organizing Group (KPPS). Those who are proven to be problematic, especially in the 24 regions, will not be involved again during the Re-vote (PSU).

The Chairperson of the General Elections Commission (KPU), Mochammad Afifuddin, conveyed the plan for a comprehensive evaluation during a coordination meeting with members of the provincial KPU and the regency/city KPU at the KPU RI Building, Jakarta, Monday (3/3/2025). "All of us, as the big family of KPU, must reflect on what happened during the Regional Head Elections. There are internal evaluations that we indeed need to improve. It is okay to feel guilty. It is okay to feel sad. However, we must carry out everything with responsibility," he stated.

Based on the Constitutional Court (MK) ruling read on Monday (24/2/2025), the General Elections Commission (KPU) is required to hold re-voting (PSU) in 24 regions, either at all polling stations or at some polling stations. The re-voting needs to be conducted after the MK identified several issues in the regional elections in those 24 areas.

Afif said that there were a number of main issues that emerged in the Constitutional Court's decision, so a PSU had to be carried out.

First, regarding the legal debate over incumbent candidates who have already served two terms. Second, the existence of regional head candidates whose school diplomas turned out to be fake, which previously went undetected despite having served two terms. Third, several candidates were not honest in disclosing their history as former convicts.

Based on that, he concluded that not all PSU incidents occur due to the fault of the KPU. For instance, in cases where candidates are dishonest about disclosing their history as former convicts. The candidates do not provide information honestly and transparently. The same applies to cases involving fake diplomas.

"This is not entirely our (fault). We have already asked for honesty. We do not believe in the authenticity (of the diploma certificate). However, due to time constraints, we are facing a difficult situation," said Afif.

In addition, according to Afif, there was also a contribution from the decision of the Election Supervisory Body (Bawaslu) which made the PSU have to be implemented, as happened in North Gorontalo.

Based on the facts of the trial at the Constitutional Court, the North Gorontalo Regency KPU has clarified Ridwan Yasin's legal status on September 14, 2024. In the clarification, Ridwan Yasin admitted that he still has the status of a convict. Therefore, the KPU stated that Ridwan Yasin did not meet the nomination requirements.

However, Ridwan and his running mate, Muksin Badar, filed a dispute with the North Gorontalo Bawaslu. The Bawaslu then issued a decision ordering the KPU to still determine the pair as Pilkada participants. The KPU followed the Bawaslu's decision and determined the pair as official candidates.

In its decision, the Constitutional Court disqualified Ridwan as a Candidate for Regent of North Gorontalo in the 2024 Election for Regent and Deputy Regent of North Gorontalo. In addition, the Court ordered a PSU to be carried out within a maximum period of 60 days.

In several cases, Afif continued, the KPU must implement Bawaslu's recommendations. By the Constitutional Court, it turned out that this step became a problem. "This is our challenge to convince and explain to all parties that this is the complexity of our Pilkada," said Afif.

Regarding the comprehensive evaluation by the KPU, Afif said, there will be an internal evaluation at the provincial and district/city levels. He requested that in this evaluation process the KPU ranks in the regions provide true information for improvement steps.

Not only at the level of KPU members in the regions, the KPU will also evaluate the ad hoc organizers in the last regional elections. This is especially in the 24 regions that the Constitutional Court asked for a repeat of the voting. If the evaluation results find the cause of the PSU from the ad hoc organizers, the personnel will be replaced or not involved in the upcoming PSU.

General Election Commission (KPU) member Iffa Rosita reinforced the evaluation of the ad hoc organizers.

According to him, several KPPS personnel were proven not to have followed the rules, there was even video evidence showing cheating. In addition, in several cases, PPK and PPS did not carry out their duties to ensure the voting process went well which had an impact on the election process.

Iffa also suggested that problematic ad hoc organizers not be involved in the PSU. Especially if the problem is with KPPS officers who have the task of ensuring voting at polling stations.

"Don't let there be another PSU after the PSU, because that is very possible," he stressed.

Regarding the technical implementation of the PSU, Iffa said that currently the KPU is formulating technical regulations regarding the stages, schedule, and procedures for the PSU. He requested that the entire process remain orderly and in accordance with legal regulations.

Regarding the PSU budget, the KPU has coordinated with various parties, including local governments, the Ministry of Home Affairs (Kemendagri), and the Ministry of Finance, to find solutions for regions experiencing budget constraints for the implementation of the PSU re-run.

"We will draft an official letter containing details of the tasks and activities that must be carried out. Facilitation of candidate changes, debates, and other technical aspects will also be ensured to continue to run according to the provisions," said Afifuddin.

Based on data from the Ministry of Home Affairs delivered by Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Ribka Haluk in a working meeting at Commission II of the DPR, Jakarta, February 27, 2025, there are 24 regions that will hold PSU. The estimated cost needed to hold PSU in the 24 regions is almost IDR 1 trillion.

As many as eight regional governments (Pemda) stated that they were able to finance the PSU, while 16 other Pemda were unable or still needed financial assistance, either from the provincial APBD or the APBN. The regions that had budget difficulties were Papua Province; Talaud Islands Regency, Buru, Taliabu Island, Pasaman, Empat Lawang, Pesawaran, South Bengkulu, Serang, Tasikmalaya, Boven Digoel, North Gorontalo, Parigi Moutong; and the cities of Banjarbaru, Palopo, and Sabang.