KPK: Regulations Needed to Limit Cash Usage in Elections

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) states that regulations are needed regarding the limitation of cash or kartal usage during the stages of general elections or pemilu.

KPK Spokesperson Budi Prasetyo explained that such regulations are necessary because cash usage during election stages has so far remained dominant.

“This condition is seen to increase the opportunities for vote buying (purchasing votes) or money politics, which has long been a classic problem in electoral democracy,” Budi told journalists in Jakarta on Saturday.

Budi said that the KPK views this matter following a corruption prevention study involving four groups of informants.

“Four groups of informants, namely representatives of parliamentary and non-parliamentary political parties, general election organisers, electoral experts or observers, and academics,” he said.

Previously, the KPK’s Monitoring Directorate in 2025 conducted a study to identify corruption potential among election organisers.

After conducting the study, the KPK proposed five points for improvement in election organisation, hoped to minimise corruption potential.

This effort can also be supported by optimising the Political Party Information System (SIPOL).

Second, reorganising the political party nomination process, including minimum membership requirements and eliminating provisions that open room for elite intervention in candidates.

Third, reforming campaign financing, including regulating campaign methods and types as well as limiting cash usage.

Fourth, gradual implementation of electronic voting and recapitulation at national and regional elections.

Fifth, strengthening election law enforcement by clarifying norms, expanding legal subjects to every person as giver and receiver, and aligning legislative and regional head election regulations.