Eleven percent of 6,576 people eyeing a seat in the House of Representatives have not submitted all of the required documents and face disqualification, an election watchdog claimed.
“There are so many political parties that have registered their legislative candidates without all of the necessary paperwork,” said Afifuddin, coordinator of the People’s Voter Education Network (JPPR) said on Sunday.
“This shows the political parties’ lack of seriousness in getting their candidates ready [for next year’s elections] and getting them to meet the administrative requirements.”
Afifuddin said that this could also mean that some of the candidates were last-minute picks, particularly with the General Elections Commission (KPU) mandating all political parties must have women making up 30 percent of their candidates.
JPPR deputy Masyukurudin Hafidz said that 33 percent of the candidates proposed by the Indonesian Unity and Justice Party (PKPI) — which qualified to run in the polls just prior to the submission deadline — have not submitted all of the required documents.
Of the People’s Conscience Party (Hanura) candidates, 23 percent don’t have all of the required documents submitted.
The same is true of 19 percent of the candidates running under the National Awakening Party (PKB).
Documents most often failed to submit included copies of their high school or college diplomas, accounting for 338 candidates; and party membership cards, accounting for 485 candidates.
The JPPR also recorded 293 candidates who have not submitted copies of their identification cards.
Afifuddin said that this paperwork is basic documentation that all party members should possess.
The fact that there are hundreds who haven’t submitted copies of their identification cards, which people normally make available from their wallet or purse, suggests that the candidates are not serious about nominating themselves, he said.
The candidates have until May 22 to submit all of the necessary documents.
by:Anastasia Wienanti Resardhy
