{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1722066,
        "msgid": "kpk-pushes-for-e-voting-implementation-to-address-electoral-fraud-and-high-election-costs-1778183868",
        "date": "2026-05-06 19:20:11",
        "title": "KPK pushes for e-voting implementation to address electoral fraud and high election costs",
        "author": "",
        "source": "ANTARA_ID",
        "tags": "",
        "topic": "Regulation",
        "summary": "The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is advocating for the adoption of electronic voting (e-voting) systems in Indonesia to combat electoral fraud and reduce the exorbitant costs borne by political parties, particularly the massive expenses for deploying witnesses at polling stations. Highlighting a case where one party reportedly allocated Rp1.2 trillion for such purposes, KPK officials argue that high costs create a vicious cycle leading to corruption practices like money politics, as evidenced in the 2024 Bangka regency by-election rerun. They propose piloting e-voting in select regions ahead of the 2029 general election, citing successful local implementations in areas like Sleman, Yogyakarta, and dismissing concerns over data security due to its automated, on-site nature.",
        "content": "<p>Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is\npushing for the implementation of an electronic voting system, or\ne-voting, to tackle fraud and the substantial costs of election\ncampaigns that political parties must bear.<\/p>\n<p>Head of the Law Enforcement and Politics Task Force at KPK\u2019s\nMonitoring Directorate, Kiagus Ibrahim, stated that one of the largest\nexpenses incurred by political parties in winning elections is the cost\nof witnesses at polling stations.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOne party complained that they could prepare funds of around Rp1.2\ntrillion, which is enormous. This is what must be borne by the members\nparticipating in the elections,\u201d said Kiagus during a public discussion\nat the Bawaslu RI Building in Jakarta on Wednesday.<\/p>\n<p>KPK views the high cost of elections as a \u201cvicious circle\u201d that\nultimately leads to corrupt practices.<\/p>\n<p>He explained that one witness is paid around Rp250,000. For one\nelection, political parties must deploy one to two witnesses in various\nregions, resulting in considerable expenses.<\/p>\n<p>These witness costs could be eliminated, among other ways, by\nswitching to an electronic voting system. Although potentially\ncontroversial, he suggested that the e-voting option be studied ahead of\nthe 2029 General Election.<\/p>\n<p>Kiagus stated that the e-voting system is not as complex as imagined\nand has proven successful at the local level.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe surveyed Kabupaten Sleman, Yogyakarta. There, village head\nelections were held, but do not think village heads are few. One\nsub-district there, named Caturtunggal Sub-district, has 70,000\nhousehold heads,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>He continued, \u201cImagine 70,000 for one area; the data we have is\nequivalent to that in Kalimantan, Sulawesi, and eastern regions. This\nmeans one village in Sleman can conduct elections electronically.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>He also dismissed public concerns regarding data security issues or\nhacking in the e-voting system.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis is automatic counting at the location. So, it\u2019s just clicks,\nand the summary is immediate,\u201d he remarked.<\/p>\n<p>Based on KPK\u2019s findings during the 2024 Bangka Regency by-election\nrerun in Bangka Belitung, potential fraud occurs during manual vote\ncounting. Vote tallies are said to be manipulable.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhat is the end result? The motive is giving money, so money\npolitics. For this reason, we recommend conducting elections at least\ngradually in certain regions to carry out digital voting,\u201d said\nKiagus.<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/kpk-pushes-for-e-voting-implementation-to-address-electoral-fraud-and-high-election-costs-1778183868",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}