Chairman of Labuhanbatu Bawaslu Dismissed for Ethical Violations

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Election Organisers Ethics Council (DKPP) has imposed a final severe warning and dismissal from office against the Chairman of the Labuhan Berlabu Regency Bawaslu, identified by the initials XXX, after finding him guilty of violating the Code of Ethics and Conduct Guidelines for Election Organisers (KEPP).

The sanction was read by the Chairman of the DKPP Council, Heddy Lugito, during the verdict reading for case Number 14-PKE-DKPP/VII/2026 in Jakarta on Tuesday.

“Imposing a final severe warning and dismissal from the position of chairman to XXX, in his capacity as Chairman and Member of Bawaslu Labuhanbatu Regency, effective from the reading of this decision,” said Heddy while reading the verdict.

Based on the DKPP’s considerations, XXX was proven to have violated the principles of integrity, honour or propriety, professionalism, and public interest regarding his relationship with a woman who was not his wife.

During the trial, the DKPP examined several pieces of evidence regarding XXX’s travels with the woman to various cities, including Jakarta, Bandung, and Bali. The DKPP also assessed evidence of physical interaction between XXX and the woman, ranging from holding hands and hugging to dancing together.

DKPP Council Member Ratna Dewi Pettalolo stated that these interactions demonstrated a level of intimacy that exceeded the boundaries of an ordinary friendship. “These facts show a consistent and continuous series of actions, which cannot be interpreted as an incidental or accidental event. Rather, it is a relationship pursued consciously by XXX, while simultaneously being legally married,” she said.

The DKPP declared that XXX had violated several provisions in the DKPP Regulation Number 2 of 2017 concerning the Code of Ethics and Conduct Guidelines for Election Organisers.

In a separate case, the DKPP also imposed a final severe warning on the Deputy for Administration of Bawaslu RI, La Bayoni, identified as Respondent IV in case Number 13-PKE-DKPP/VII/2026. The DKPP assessed that La Bayoni was aware from the outset of a fund flow of Rp250 million from the complainant related to alleged corruption in the procurement of identity markers within the Bawaslu Central Papua Province in 2024.

Although the money had been returned, the DKPP assessed that La Bayoni’s attitude did not reflect a rejection of the receipt of said funds. DKPP Council Member I Dewa Kade Wiarsa Raka Sandi stated that during the trial, it was revealed that La Bayoni received Rp50 million in stages. According to the DKPP, the repetitive nature of these receipts indicates that the acceptance of money was not a single event occurring outside of La Bayoni’s will.

“The fact that Respondent IV’s readiness to return the money was only stated when clarified by the Examination Team—following a public complaint, and not through his own initiative when the first sum was handed over,” said Raka Sandi.

The DKPP stated that La Bayoni was proven to have violated several provisions in the DKPP Regulation Number 2 of 2017.

In the session, the DKPP read verdicts for three cases involving 15 election organisers. The DKPP imposed five severe warnings, two final severe warnings, and one dismissal from the position of chairman. Meanwhile, eight other election organisers had their reputations rehabilitated as they were not proven to have violated the KEPP.