Number of Independent Candidates in Election Rises Significantly

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The number of independent candidates in 2018 General Election jumped significantly compared to that of 2017. General Election Commission (KPU) recorded that in 2018 Election, 13 regions have independent candidate. Meanwhile in 2017, nine regions had independent candidates.

Regions with independent candidates in 2018 General Election include Enrekang, Mamasa, Puncak, Padang Lawas Utara, Pasuruan, Mimika, Tangerang, Tangerang Regency, Lebak, Karanganyar, Minahasa Tenggara, and Prabumulih Regency.

"In 2017, 90 percent of independent candidates are incumbent or related to someone with power," Association for Elections and Democracy(Perludem) executive director Titi Anggraini said in Central Jakarta on Saturday (11/1).

Last year, there were nine independent candidates, eight of which were incumbent in their respective regions. The other one who became Regent of Landak was Karolin Margaret Natasa, the daughter of West Kalimantan Governor Cornelis.

In addition, General Election Commission Commissionaire Pramono Ubaid Tanthowi is concerned that independent candidates are still running in 2018 General Election. He believes that the phenomenon of independent candidate ruins the essence of competition in politics. “It results in no political contest,” he said in Jakarta on Wednesday (10/1).

ADAM PRIREZA