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KPU to require reports on supporters' contributions
In a move hailed as enforcing campaign finance transparency, the KPU has announced a draft regulation that requires reporting on contributions from political supporters and supporters’ groups.
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Supporters of mayoral hopeful Reihana Wijayanto cheer on July 31, 2024 at an event announcing her candidacy in this year’s regional head elections in Bandar Lampung, Lampung. (Antara/Ardiansyah)
The General Elections Commission (KPU) is working on a regulation that requires candidates contesting the regional head elections this year to disclose supporters’ contributions to their campaigns, a move watchdogs have lauded for improving campaign finance transparency.
The plan was announced during a public hearing the KPU held on Friday to discuss its draft regulations on the campaign period and financing for the simultaneous regional head elections slated for Nov. 27.
Reflecting on past elections, contributions from supporters have been deemed as significant as funding from a candidate’s campaign team or third-party sponsors, but the 2016 Regional Elections Law does not explicitly regulate funding from individual donors.
“We will require that [contributions from] supporters be included in the campaign finance reports,” KPU commissioner Idham Holik said at Friday’s hearing, as quoted by Kompas.com.
“Such contributions from [political supporters] must be regulated so we can monitor all campaign activities,” he continued, adding that every campaign activity must be reported to the National Police.
Supporters’ participation in political campaigns has been on the rise in Indonesia’s elections, particularly in the massive contributions they made in helping Joko “Jokowi” Widodo win the 2014 presidential race.
Seen by many as representing the interests of certain community groups, candidates sought contributions from political supporters for their campaigns through targeted activities including door-to-door canvassing and fundraisers.
