KPU and Bawaslu commissioners face ethics and criminal reports over Gibran's credentials

Commissioners of the General Elections Commission (KPU) and the Election Supervisory Body (Bawaslu) are facing legal and ethical challenges following controversies regarding Gibran Rakabuming Raka’s educational credentials during the 2024 presidential election.

Themis Indonesia and the Dewi Keadilan Indonesia Foundation have reported KPU and Bawaslu commissioners to the Election Organizer Ethics Council (DKPP). The report alleges ethical violations in the issuance of KPU Regulation Number 19 of 2023, specifically regarding Article 18, paragraph (3), which allows exceptions for presidential and vice-presidential candidates who lack high school graduation proof from abroad but possess university degrees. The complainants argue that the regulations changed significantly during the harmonization process and are seeking the permanent dismissal of the commissioners.

Simultaneously, the Indonesian Advocate Profession Alliance has filed a report with the Jakarta Metropolitan Police against KPU commissioners for alleged document forgery. This action follows a Constitutional Court ruling which stated that no evidence of Gibran Rakabuming Raka’s equivalent high school diploma was found, despite it being a mandatory requirement under election laws. The alliance alleges that the KPU may have used altered documents to qualify the candidate, potentially violating criminal codes regarding the use of forged documents.