17 candidates problematic: election watchdogs

KPU: Tribunnews.comA group of election watchdogs said on Wednesday that 17 candidates running for membership of two electoral bodies had “problematic records”.

 “Based on our tracking process, we have concluded that there are 12 candidates out of 30 candidates running for the KPU (General Elections Commission) members, and five candidates out of 18 candidates for Bawaslu (General Elections Monitoring Body) who have problematic records,” Yusfitriadi, the national coordinator of the People’s Voter Education Association (JPRR) said on Wednesday.

 He said that the report had been submitted to the general election bodies’ membership selection team. The watchdogs, however, refused to disclose the names, citing ethical considerations.

 The tracking process was conducted from Jan. 10 to Jan. 13 in 28 provinces, from which the candidates came, using desk review methods, which included document analysis, interviews and media content analysis.

 According to the watchdogs, the candidates’ problems included lack of knowledge of election procedure, lack of competence and integrity, as well as being closely related to certain political parties.

 The selection team has completed its screening process and is going to submit the names of 14 KPU member candidates and 10 Bawaslu member candidates to the President on Feb. 24.

 The President will approve 14 names for the KPU and 10 names for the Bawaslu to undergo the next process: fit and proper tests at the House of Representatives.

The elections watchdogs comprise the JPRR, the Indonesian Corruption Watch (ICW), the Center for Electoral Reform (CETRO) and the Indonesia Budget Center (IBC). (rpt)