KPK Reveals Bribery Practices Targeting Election Organisers, PKS: Deterrent Effect Must Be Imposed
Member of the Indonesian House of Representatives Commission II and PKS Election Winning Body Chairman Mardani Ali Sera responded to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), which stated that there are bribery practices targeting election organisers to manipulate votes. Mardani said there must be a deterrent effect so that such practices disappear.
“There must be a deterrent effect. Criminal penalties with maximum punishments,” said Mardani when contacted on Saturday (25/4/2026).
He said that election issues must be a concern for all parties. In particular, he continued, money politics.
“Especially money politics, the main threat to our democracy. Including ‘games’ in election organisers,” he said.
Nevertheless, Mardani believes that not all election organisers accept it. However, he said that one person’s behaviour will damage other election organisers.
“I believe not all. But the milk is spoiled by a drop of water. Therefore, this issue must be opened and resolved in the revision of the Election Law that will be carried out in the near future,” he said.
KPK Statement
The KPK revealed the existence of bribery practices directed at election organisers. The bribes were given in an effort to manipulate votes.
This was found by the KPK in a study on political party (parpol) governance conducted by the Monitoring Directorate in the Prevention and Monitoring Deputy of the KPK in 2025. This study captured three points related to elections and politics, namely identifying corruption potential in election implementation, governance of integrity-based political parties, and limiting cash transactions.
KPK Spokesperson Budi Prasetyo said that the three aspects were seen as having a close connection in opening gaps for corrupt practices that impact the quality of democracy and government governance.
“One of the main findings from the internal party governance side where the KPK highlighted the absence of an integrated roadmap for political education between the government and political parties,” said Budi to reporters on Saturday (25/4).
Budi said that in compiling this study, the KPK collaborated with four groups of sources, namely representatives of parliamentary and non-parliamentary political parties, election and regional election organisers, electoral experts or observers, and academics.
The KPK study also identified the absence of a standardisation system for political party financial reporting, resulting in weak transparency and accountability in fund usage. In one of the study findings, the KPK also revealed indications of bribery directed at election organisers.
“The KPK also found indications of bribery to election organisers aimed at manipulating electoral results,” Budi explained.