Handling 76 Complaints For Election Violations Since 2022, The DKPP Predicts That The Number Will Continue To Increase

Illustration of the 2019 election ballot multiplier process. (Between Rahmad)

Chairman of the Election Organizers Honorary Council (DKPP) Heddy Lugito revealed that currently 76 complaints of alleged violations of the electoral code of ethics (KEPP) are being handled by DKPP.

"There are 82 complaints of alleged KEPP violations received by the DKPP during the period from December 1, 2022 to January 20, 2023. Of these, 76 of them are still in the verification process," he said in a written statement, Thursday, January 26, quoted by Antara.

Heddy estimates that the number of complaints will increase in line with the stages of the 2024 Simultaneous Elections.

He explained, in the period December 2022 to January 2023, DKPP had carried out 11 verification activities, consisting of seven administrative verifications and four verification of complaint materials.

The verification activity was carried out in conjunction with the trial of the examination of cases of alleged KEPP violations that had been scheduled.

Throughout December 2022 to January 2023, DKPP has conducted 13 hearings to examine alleged KEPP violations, with details of nine examination hearings in December 2022 and four examination hearings on January 1-20, 2023.

"For 37 working days, in the period December 1, 2022 to January 20, 2023, the average verification activity that we have carried out is two activities every week. At the same time, we also hear cases of alleged KEPP violations that have met the material requirements," he said.

In addition, Heddy added that DKPP also continues to receive and provide services to new complaints that continue to enter every day.

DKPP is committed to carrying out its duties and obligations as mandated by Article 159 of Law Number 7 of 2017 concerning Elections. According to him, all levels of DKPP have the same spirit in enforcing KEPP in order to realize elections with integrity and quality.

"We are committed to maintaining the fire of enthusiasm so that we can pass on elections with integrity and trust in the next generation," he said.

He emphasized that DKPP has never neglected or prioritized incoming complaints. All complaints are processed with applicable mechanisms or procedures.

For example, regarding the complaint submitted by the Civil Society Coalition at the Guard of the Clean Election on December 21, 2023, Heddy explained that the complaint had been followed up by DKPP as applicable procedures.

DKPP has also submitted the results of administrative verification to complainants on January 5, 2023. To be precise, two days after the complaint was verified by the administration.

This is still within the deadline as stipulated in Article 13 paragraph (8) of DKPP Regulation Number 1 of 2021 concerning the Second Amendment to DKPP Regulation Number 3 of 2017 concerning Guidelines for Conducting the Code of Ethics for General Election Organizers.

"Likewise, we treat other complaints the same. We continue to handle all complaints with maximum efforts in the midst of various existing limitations," said Heddy.

DKPP continues to strive to improve services for justice seekers by taking corrective steps, especially since the number of complaints received by DKPP is predicted to increase in line with the stages of the 2024 Simultaneous Elections and Pilkada.