"Our quest to seek non-partisan figures is actually not easy since most candidates for the electoral bodies have a partisan background, either with a history of party membership or declaration of support for election candidates, and others," the university's social and political studies academic, Sri Budi Eko Wardani, stated during a webinar on selection of KPU and Bawaslu members in Jakarta on Monday.
Selection for the electoral bodies' members must reflect the necessity to boost public participation during elections, she noted.
"KPU and Bawaslu members must have a non-partisan character, as they are responsible for national elections and leadership succession that follows," the academic remarked.
Related news: KPU should recalculate 2024 election budget: House member
The current challenge of the selection committee is to seek figures, with the precise character, and must be tested and proven during the fit and proper test in the House of Representatives (DPR RI), Wardani stated.
"Apart from candidates with non-partisan quality, the selection committee should also seek candidates with proven personal integrity," she remarked.
The academic highlighted comprehension of the electoral system and management as an important feature that the candidate should have, as they would manage electoral logistics and budgeting upon their appointment to the KPU and Bawaslu membership.
"Members of the KPU and Bawaslu should be able to complement each other while performing electoral and electoral observation duties," she remarked.
Apart from technical capabilities, Wardani stated that the KPU and Bawaslu member candidates should be physically sound and have proven integrity and honesty.
"Apart from the non-partisan quality and technical capabilities, the selection committee should also take into account the candidates' honesty and health," the academic noted.
Related news: Electoral Commission proposes holding 2024 General Elections on Feb 21
Related news: Increase women's participation in election committees: UI expert
Translator: Boyke Ledy W, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Suharto
Copyright © ANTARA 2021
