KPU Ready to Explain Creation of ‘Gibran-Specific Article’ at DKPP Hearing

Indonesia’s General Elections Commission (KPU) has responded to a complaint filed with the Election Organiser Ethics Council (DKPP) over allegations that Article 18(3) of KPU Regulation No. 19/2023 was improperly inserted.

KPU member Idham Holik said the commission would respect the proceedings to be held by the DKPP.

“Under Article 159 of Law No. 7/2017, the KPU, as in previous cases, will of course always respect DKPP hearings,” Idham said when contacted on Thursday (15 October).

Idham said the KPU would explain the entire process for drafting the regulation at the DKPP hearing. He maintained that the regulation had been drafted in accordance with the proper procedures.

“At the DKPP hearing, the KPU will explain everything. What is clear is that all standard operating procedures for the legal drafting of the draft KPU regulation were followed,” he said.

Article 18 of the regulation sets out various requirements for presidential and vice-presidential candidate pairs in the 2024 presidential election.

Paragraph (1) lists the required documents, including identity cards, birth certificates, a police clearance certificate from the National Police Headquarters, a health certificate, and a certificate from the district court or commercial court in the candidate’s place of residence, among others.

The requirements also include proof of graduation, such as a photocopy of a diploma, a certificate of completion of studies, or another certificate legalised by an educational institution or secondary education programme, as stipulated in Article 18(1)(m) of KPU Regulation No. 19/2023.

However, paragraph (3) of the same article exempts candidates who do not have proof of graduating from senior secondary school at a school overseas from submitting that proof, provided they have proof of graduating from university.

Article 18(3) states: “The proof of graduation referred to in paragraph (1)(m) is not required of a presidential candidate or vice-presidential candidate who does not have proof of graduating from senior secondary school at a foreign school overseas and who has proof of graduating from university.”

Article 18(3) was also discussed in Constitutional Court case No. 01-PHPU.PRES-XXIV/2026, concerning a challenge to the validity of Gibran Rakabuming Raka’s vice-presidential candidacy in the 2024 presidential election.

The petitioners alleged that the article had been inserted to enable Gibran’s candidacy.

The DKPP has now received a total of five complaints related to Constitutional Court Decision No. 01-PHPU.PRES-XXIV/2026.