Regional Election PSU Costs Almost IDR 1 Trillion, DPR Strongly Criticizes KPU-Bawaslu

JAKARTA, KOMPAS – Commission II of the House of Representatives strongly criticized the administrative errors made by regional election organizers, both the General Elections Commission and the Election Supervisory Agency, which resulted in the need for a re-vote in the Regional Head Elections or Pilkada. Due to these errors, which should have been preventable, the state had to allocate a budget of nearly one trillion rupiah.

A series of criticisms were expressed by members of Commission II of the House of Representatives (DPR) during a meeting with the General Elections Commission (KPU), the Election Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu), the Honorary Council for Election Organizers (DKPP), and the Ministry of Home Affairs (Kemendagri) at the Parliament Complex, Jakarta, Thursday (27/2/2025).

A member of Commission II of the House of Representatives from the PDI-P faction, Deddy Sitorus, even considers this electoral contest a failure. Not only because dozens of regions had to repeat the voting process, but also because more than half of the regions filed disputes over the regional election results with the Constitutional Court (MK).

Out of 545 regional election results, 310 of them were contested at the Constitutional Court (MK). From these hundreds of disputes, the MK ruled that 24 regions must conduct a re-vote (PSU), either in all polling stations or only in part. In addition, there is 1 region, namely Puncak Jaya Regency, that must carry out a recount in 22 out of 26 districts.

Based on calculations by the KPU, Bawaslu, and others, the cost of conducting a re-vote reaches nearly Rp 1 trillion. This cost includes Rp 486 billion from the KPU and approximately Rp 251 billion from Bawaslu.

The Deputy Chairman of Commission II of the House of Representatives from the Democratic Party faction, Dede Yusuf, stated that the costs would be borne by the regional governments. The Ministry of Home Affairs will assist if the regions are unable to meet these financial needs.

"Now, the people are being told to pay Rp 1 trillion for all of our negligence. Seriously, where is our responsibility?" said Deddy in a raised voice during the meeting.

He also regretted the PSU decision that occurred in most regions only due to administrative errors. The main cases that led to the PSU included four cases of term of office, legality of diplomas (3), certificates of never having been convicted (4), former convicts (1), and related to voter data (11).

In addition, there were findings of systematic and massive structured directives (4), Bawaslu recommendations (5), and related riots and/or intimidation (2).

"How can such trivial matters, fake diplomas, tenure, repeatedly fall into the same hole. This is a matter of quality. Administratively it has failed, what about substantively. The inability to maintain a fair and honest election makes us pay for it all," he said.

Deddy also asked all those present at the meeting to make it a reflection. He said that the election was not only about the budget, but also a democratic civilization and results like this are a responsibility for future generations.

Member of Commission II of the House of Representatives from the Golkar Faction Taufan Pawe also regretted the administrative negligence of the election organizers, especially the requirements of prospective regional head candidates. He doubted the integrity of the parties who dared to falsify the requirements and unfortunately were able to escape monitoring.

"If it's a dispute over the results, okay, it's just people fighting, throwing mangoes. If it gets hit, thank goodness, if it doesn't get hit, it's okay. But if it concerns the process, administration, especially the diploma, before becoming a leader, he's already cunning. How dare he falsify it? If it's doubted, there's no way he can appear as a leader," he said.

Taufan understands that there is limited space for the organizers. However, that will not be an excuse if the officers work to find the truth of the requirements submitted by the candidate.

"If there is already an allegation that (the requirements) are problematic, the organizers must take action. In the future, with this situation, it may be necessary to create guidelines related to the consequences. If the regional head is proven to have data that is not in accordance, he must be held accountable," he said.

KPU Chairman Mochammad Afifuddin in the meeting received input from legislators. Various criticisms will be input and will be steps for the field, especially during the PSU or vote recapitulation.

"We apologize for some shortcomings, because it is impossible for us to be perfect. In essence, that is merely the maximum that has been done. As those responsible at the central level, we are again taking the helm to be responsible for implementing the Constitutional Court's decision," said Afif.

Bawaslu Chairman Rahmat Bagja also stated that his party will conduct a reflection. A number of recommendations collected in the meeting will be responded to with an evaluation and carried out as soon as possible.

"Thank you for your input. We apologize if there are any coordination issues or different interpretations. However, we remain within the laws and regulations," said Rahmat.

Political Law

Meanwhile, member of Commission II of the DPR from the National Awakening Party (PKB) faction, Mohamad Toha, assessed that the lawsuit filed with the Constitutional Court showed that the public was already aware of the law.

He also appreciated the parties using the judicial path at the Constitutional Court in resolving the Pilkada dispute and not using demonstrations that have the potential to cause conflict.

"That (PSU) is a political dynamic that must be accepted. If we look at the good side, the lawsuit was submitted through the right channel. In the past, they (those in dispute) preferred demonstrations. Indeed, there are several things that must be fixed, and this has become a problem bank in the revision of the Election and Regional Election Laws," he explained.

Dede Yusuf also saw various issues discussed in the meeting as input for the revision of the Political Law, including the Election and Regional Election Laws. He also stated that his party is targeting the revision of this Law to be completed in 2026 so that it can be used in the election stages that have started in 2027.

"We have started to deepen it from now. However, if we make an academic paper at this time where the new government is running, it doesn't seem right. But we will listen to input from everyone. We can make a decision in 2026, so that in 2027 we will talk (Election) with a process that is in accordance with the new law," he said.