PKS Proposes KPU Commissioner Involvement in Gibran Verification Be Barred from Selection

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The Chairman of the PKS Faction in the Indonesian House of Representatives Commission II, Mardani Ali Sera, has proposed that members of the General Elections Commission (KPU) involved in the verification of Gibran Rakabuming Raka's candidacy for the 2024 presidential election should be barred from participating in future KPU member selections.

Mardani believes that those related to the provisions in Article 18 Paragraph (3) of KPU Regulation (PKPU) Number 19 of 2023 must be disclosed and 'marked' to prevent them from entering the election organizer selection.

“Therefore, in my opinion, anyone who falls under this provision must be disclosed and marked to ensure they cannot enter the selection process going forward. That's it,” Mardani said when met at the Indonesian House of Representatives on Thursday (22/10/2026).

He explained that the PKS is raising concerns about this regulation as it is deemed to relate to the granting of dispensations, which contradicts the principle of equality under the law and governance.

“Regarding this diploma polemic, PKS has raised the diploma gate, it has been brought up. We consider Article 18 Paragraph 3 to not have been discussed. So, if it exists, it can be seen as a grant of dispensation that is very contradictory to equal standing under the law and governance,” said Mardani.

According to Mardani, this provision could also be contested by supporters of any presidential candidate, should it be presented to the House of Representatives Commission II for the 2019-2024 period.

Because this provision will be assessed as providing unequal treatment.

“At that time, I was a supporter of Anies, and friends from PDI-P supported Ganjar; if that provision exists, we will certainly contest it. I am sure that Prabowo's supporters would also raise this issue,” Mardani concluded.

Mardani's stance comes in response to a proposal by the Chairman of PDI-P's Honorary Council, Komarudin Watubun, suggesting that KPU and Bawaslu commissioners involved in verifying Gibran's candidacy should not run again as election organizers.

“It would be better if they could not participate again. If tomorrow (the selection of new KPU and Bawaslu commissioners) occurs, we are looking at a new process,” Komarudin stated when met at the House of Representatives on Thursday (8/10/2026).

Komarudin emphasized that the decision not to run again is a moral and ethical responsibility following the scrutiny brought on by the Constitutional Court's ruling regarding Gibran's candidacy verification process.

“So, morally, they should not run again. Because this is not about Gibran; I have nothing to do with Gibran. This concerns the nation's morality and ethics in governance,” he added.

KPU Selection Panel Awaiting Presidential Announcement

Previously reported, Mardani revealed that the selection committee (pansel) for prospective members of the KPU for the 2027-2032 period has been formed and is awaiting an official announcement from President Prabowo Subianto.

He stated that he has communicated with the Director General of Politics and General Government at the Ministry of Home Affairs and with the Deputy Speaker of the House, Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, regarding the formation of the selection panel.

“The pansel should have been established by October 12, 2026. I have communicated with the Director General. The Director General has sent a letter to the President, and I contacted Deputy Speaker Pak Dasco, who said it is done,” Mardani said.