Evaluations of post-Reformasi elections in Indonesia reveal that electoral violations involving election officials remain prevalent. A key issue contributing to this situation is the flawed recruitment process for election officials. In the study of electoral integrity, the recruitment of officials is closely linked to the integrity of the officials themselves.
This study analyzes and evaluates the selection processes and mechanisms for Provincial and Regency/City General Election Commission (KPU) commissioners conducted by the national KPU (KPU RI) between 2018 and 2019. The study focuses on three areas: an evaluation of the selection processes and mechanisms; the extent to which these mechanisms foster the appointment of officials with integrity; and the identification of appropriate selection designs and mechanisms to produce KPU bodies at the provincial and regency/city levels that possess integrity and uphold the principles of electoral integrity.
The study employs a qualitative methodology, utilizing primary data gathered through focus group discussions (FGDs) and in-depth interviews with selection team members, commissioners from the national, provincial, and regency/city KPU levels, election activists, and the KPU RI secretariat. Secondary data were obtained from institutional documents, legislation, print and online media reports, and literature reviews of previous research.
The study identifies two primary factors influencing the selection process for provincial and regency/city KPU commissioners during the 2018–2019 period. First, regulatory issues regarding the selection process; differing interpretations between the selection team and the KPU RI created the potential for complications during the process. Second, technical and managerial issues generated dynamics and challenges for the selection team, candidates, and KPU secretariat staff at both central and regional levels. Additionally, the multi-stage selection system—incorporating an elimination mechanism—introduced further complexities into the process. Divergent interpretations of regulations ultimately resulted in inconsistent selection practices across several regions.
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