DPR Commission II Chair Criticises Election Rerun System, Suggests Disqualification Instead

House of Representatives Commission II Chairman M. Rifqinizamy Karsayuda has questioned the effectiveness of rerun elections (PSU) as a solution for structured, systematic, and massive (TSM) electoral violations. He argued that experience from several regions shows PSUs often create new violations, burden regional budgets, and disrupt public services. “If the intention of a PSU is to clean up the mess, it actually adds more mess. A PSU will not be a cure-all for TSM violations; it will instead create TSM squared or even cubed,” Rifqi said. He cited the example of the Barito Utara regional election dispute, where a rerun election was ordered but the process spiralled into further complications. Rifqi also highlighted the financial strain on regional governments, noting that in Pangkalpinang, the rerun election forced the local government to sacrifice development allocations and delay salary payments for civil servants and contract-based government employees (PPPK). He suggested that disqualifying candidates proven to have committed TSM violations would be a more effective deterrent than holding a rerun election. Furthermore, Rifqi stressed the need to build an integrated electoral justice system that harmonises election laws with the Criminal Code and Criminal Procedure Code, and to consider whether a special electoral court is necessary to resolve disputes more cohesively.