Papuaaround.com – The Election Organizer Honor Council (DKPP) has imposed severe sanctions on the Chair and members of the Papua Provincial General Election Commission (KPU). DKPP Chair Heddy Lugito announced the decision, citing violations of the code of ethics and conduct by five KPU Papua commissioners.
The ruling revealed that the commissioners were found guilty of significant breaches, prompting responses from election observers. Marianus Yaung, a political analyst, praised the decision, emphasizing its importance as both a lesson for KPU Papua and a corrective measure for the public’s understanding of electoral processes.
“This ruling addresses long-standing concerns about the use of questionable or allegedly falsified documents by candidates approved by KPU Papua,” Yaung stated on Tuesday (January 28, 2025).
As a former commissioner of the Jayapura City KPU, Yaung highlighted several critical findings from the DKPP’s decision. He outlined four key points that were particularly striking.
“First, the submission of invalid or allegedly falsified documents occurred from the initial registration stage. Second, these documents were never corrected during the designated improvement period,” he explained.
The third revelation involved a written clarification issued by the Jayapura District Court before KPU Papua’s candidate announcement on September 22, 2024. The court explicitly stated that it had never issued Suket 539 and Suket 540 for Yermias Bisai. Instead, the documents were registered under different names.
Additionally, Yaung noted a potential legal violation when KPU Papua accepted new documents from Yermias Bisai on September 20, 2024, beyond the deadlines stipulated in KPU Regulation No. 8 of 2024.
“These violations are blatant and occurred in plain sight of both election organizers and monitors. As a former commissioner, I find it unimaginable that such a situation could occur unless there were commissioners willing to disregard rationality,” he remarked.
Yaung distinguished the violations as more severe than mere procedural errors or lapses in coordination. “This is not a simple case of administrative oversight. The DKPP’s severe warning is one step below dismissal, signaling the gravity of the offense,” he added.
In moral terms, Yaung urged KPU Papua to issue a public apology to the people of Papua. “This situation has created chaos and undermined the integrity of the democratic process during Papua’s first simultaneous regional elections,” he emphasized.
He also expressed regret over the reputational damage caused to KPU as an institution. “The DKPP decision undoubtedly tarnishes KPU’s reputation and compromises legal and political interests at the Constitutional Court,” Yaung concluded.
DKPP’s ruling serves as a critical reminder of the importance of integrity and accountability in election management. The case underscores the need for election organizers to adhere strictly to ethical guidelines and legal provisions to maintain public trust and uphold democratic values.
