KPU Secrets The Ijazah Documents Of Presidential And Vice Presidential Candidates Viewed Strangely And Confusingly

Election illustration (ANTARA)

The decision of the General Elections Commission (KPU) which issued the decision not to publish the requirements documents for presidential and vice presidential candidates (candidates) such as diplomas is considered strange.

This is because the KPU's Decree Number 731 of 2025 concerning the Determination of the Requirement document for Candidates for President and Vice President as Public Information, which is exempted by the General Elections Commission, was issued after the 2024 General Election was completed and long before the next election.

"Last month, apparently the Indonesian KPU issued decision Number 731/2025. The decision was a bit strange and confusing because it was issued long after the election was over. It immediately caused controversy when the public found out," said Indonesia Voter Committee Coordinator Jeiry Sumampow in his statement, Tuesday, September 16.

Jeiry analyzes, there are indications that several registration documents contain information that is prone to questioning, for example, diploma controversies, wealth reports, or tax status of certain candidates.

"It could be that the KPU is under pressure from certain political elites who have an interest in candidate requirements documents to close public access, given the post-election period prone to lawsuits or investigations," said Jeiry.

"The public may suspect that this decision is related to the diploma case of the elected Vice President which is now being questioned and questioned by the public," he continued.

According to Jeiry, this decision violates several fundamental principles of elections guaranteed by the constitution and international norms.

Supposedly, the KPU maintains the principle of transparency which requires all stages of the election, including the terms and verification of candidates, to be carried out openly so that the public can assess the integrity of candidates.

"By closing 16 crucial documents for five years, the KPU prevented the public from examining the truth and authenticity of the nomination requirements. This is categorized as a serious violation in the election. Moreover, the KPU is the culprit," he said.

In addition, the KPU can violate the principle of accountability because election organizers are public institutions that are responsible to the people.

"Closing documents related to the integrity, track record, and legal compliance of candidates, weakening public supervision and showing the poor responsibility of the KPU for the election process," said Jeiry.

If the requirements documents for presidential and vice-presidential candidates such as diplomas, tax reports, and LHKPN are excluded from public information, there are suspicions that certain candidates are protected from public examinations.

"In this case, the KPU violates the principle of equality. And with this, the KPU shows partiality to certain candidates, especially candidates who won the last election. Because access to check the honesty of candidates, track records and background of candidates is closed by the KPU," he added.