Bawaslu Issues Supervision Standard

Jakarta, InfoPublik – Indonesian Election Supervisory Body (Bawaslu RI) Secretary General Suswantoro Gunawan said that the body had issued a supervision budget standard.

"We also expect local governments, supported by Local Legislative Council (DPRD), to meet all the necessities in the election supervision," Gunawan said in Jakarta, Saturday (5/7).

According to him, Bawaslu will make serious effort to prevent financing obstacle to the implementation of the regional elections.

He said that the Election Act revision is currently being discussed and the role of Bawaslu will be strengthened. “Later, in the implementation of 2017 simultaneous elections, Bawaslu will improve supervision strategies by developing a technology-based participatory supervision system," he explained.

Previously, Para Syndicate senior researcher Toto Sugiarto said that if the Bawaslu’s authority is reinforced, it should cooperate with the intelligence agency to understand political transactions.

According to him, intelligence officers must also join Bawaslu so that the Election Supervisory Body will be equal with the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).

"Intels to join Bawaslu as that of KPK. We will be able to supervise political parties’ internal politics,“ he said.

Moreover, in the implementation of simultaneous regional elections in 2015, no money politic sanction was imposed on perpetrators due to weakness of the Election Act.

Government and House of Representatives  plan to strengthen the Bawaslu’s authority in the revision of Law No. 8 of 2015 regarding Regional Election (Pilkada). For example, Bawaslu will have the authority to hear and resolve administrative disputes and to disqualify candidates found guilty of excercising money politics. (Translator : Erik Limantara)