Analysts Identify 7 Criteria for Vice-Presidential Candidates to be Reviewed by MPR Verification Team

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The verification team of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) has been asked to examine seven requirements for the vice-presidential candidate to replace Gibran Rakabuming Raka, ranging from educational documents to legal records.

Political communication analyst from Esa Unggul University, M. Jamiluddin Ritonga, stated that the verification process should refer to Article 169 of Law Number 7 of 2017 concerning Elections.

"Thus, what needs to be verified should refer to Article 169 of Law Number 7 of 2017 concerning Elections," Jamiluddin told Kompas.com on Saturday (14/11/2026).

First, the completeness and validity of educational documents. The verification team must ensure that the vice-presidential candidate has at least completed high school education or its equivalent with valid and verifiable diplomas.

The second requirement is age and experience. Jamiluddin noted that the team must ensure that the candidate is at least 40 years old or meets the stipulations set by the Constitutional Court (MK).

The MK's ruling allows someone under 40 to run as a vice-presidential candidate, as long as they have previously held an elected position, including regional elections.

This provision refers to MK Decision Number 90/PUU-XXI/2023, which changes the interpretation of the age requirement in Article 169 letter q of the Election Law.

The third requirement concerns citizenship and integrity.

"The verification team must ensure that the candidate is an Indonesian citizen (WNI) from birth, has never voluntarily accepted another citizenship, and remains loyal to Pancasila, the 1945 Constitution, the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia, and Bhinneka Tunggal Ika," he explained.

Regarding loyalty to ideology and the state foundation, Jamiluddin believes that clear indicators are necessary to prevent subjective assessments.

"Therefore, clear indicators are needed to measure the candidate's loyalty to Pancasila, the 1945 Constitution, the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia, and Bhinneka Tunggal Ika," he added.

The fourth requirement pertains to legal and corruption records. The verification team must ensure that the candidate has never betrayed the nation, has not committed acts of corruption or other serious crimes, and has not been sentenced to prison based on a final court decision with a prison term of five years or more.

To verify this, Jamiluddin suggested that the team collaborate with relevant agencies to obtain accurate data.

The fifth requirement involves physical and mental health, and being free from drug abuse. According to Jamiluddin, the team must ensure that the candidate is physically and mentally fit and does not misuse narcotics.

He also emphasized the need for clear indicators to assess the candidate's mental health condition.