While this nation is busy handling the novel coronavirus outbreak, the General Elections Commission (KPU) is going through a dilemma of its own with yet another dismissal of one of its commissioner.
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·3 minutes read
Kompas/Heru Sri Kumoro
Commissioner of the General Election Commission Evi Novida Ginting (four from left) accompanied by KPU Chairman Arief Budiman (three from left) and other commissioners gave a statement after the decision of the Election Organizer Honorary Board (DKPP) who dismissed Evi Novida Ginting permanently at the KPU Office, Jakarta, Thursday (19/3/2020).
The Election Organization Ethics Council (DKPP) found during its trial on Wednesday that Evi Novida Ginting violated the electoral code of conduct and dismissed her permanently as a member of the KPU.
The DKPP found Evi to have played as significant role in determining the election results of two candidates from the Garindra Party for the West Kalimantan Legislative Council’s (DPR) electorate district 6 during the regional elections in 2019.
Hendri\'s election results after being recounted at the Constitutional Court proved to be greater than those gained by Cok. The KPU only corrected Hendri\'s election results, but did not reduce the results received by Cok.
In addition to imposing sanctions on Evi, The DKPP also gave a stern warning to the chairman of the KPU and the remaining four KPU members regarding the ethics violation.
The DKPP’s decision certainly undermined public trust in the KPU. Not long ago, on Jan. 16, the DKPP dismissed Wahyu Setiawan after he was arrested by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) in relation to bribery cases. This means that two of the seven KPU commissioners for the 2017-2022 period have been dismissed by the DKPP so far this year.
Chairperson of the Election Commission Arief Budiman (left) talks to KPU commissioner, Evi Novida Ginting after giving information related to the decision of the Election Organizer Honorary Board (DKPP) which terminates Evi Novida Ginting at the KPU Office, Jakarta, Thursday (19/3/2020).
Evi opposed the DKPP\'s decision because Hendri\'s complaint to the DKPP had been withdrawn. Evi also plans to file a legal challenge through the State Administrative Court.
Apart from the ongoing legal process, what is certain is that the KPU has an important task that must be carried out in the near future, namely to ensure the success of the upcoming regional elections in 270 regions. With only five commissioners, the workload will be heavier. Not to mention the possibility that the commission must make various adjustments to the implementation of the elections due to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus.
However, if a violation of the code of ethics really occurred, stricter sanctions against each violation need to be given. Mistakes that are often tolerated can be regarded as truth, then spread and become endemic.
Law No. 7/2017 concerning elections requires all parties involved in organizing the elections ,such as KPU, the Election Supervisory Board and DKPP, to implement the principles of independence, honesty, fairness, legal certainty, orderliness, openness, proportional, professionalism, accountability, effectiveness and efficiency. In any democratic country, the role of the KPU is certainly very strategic. A credible KPU is capable of building a good electoral system, conducting it honestly and fairly while being trusted by the people and ultimately helping to create a good and clean government.
Now, the difficult task of the remaining commissioners under the leadership of KPU chairman Arief Budiman is to prevent violations from happening again, spreading and becoming epidemic. The KPU cannot lose its credibility. Promote again the spirit of the KPU as the guardian of the democratic process.
