Five KPUD members dismissed for misconduct in Southeast Sulawesi

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Archipelago | Mon, October 29 2012, 11:39 PM

The Election Organizer Ethics Council (DKPP) on Monday dismissed the chairman of the Southeast Sulawesi General Elections Commission (KPUD) and four members for misconduct, following a legal dispute surrounding the upcoming gubernatorial election.

The dismissal comes six days before the election.

During a hearing at the KPU headquarters in Jakarta, the DKPP said that five KPUD members were found guilty of violating the code of ethics by one-sidedly annulling the candidacy of Ali Mazi and Bisman Saranani.

Previously, the Southeast Sulawesi KPUD endorsed Ali and Bisman, together with three other pairs, as gubernatorial candidates. However, it revised its decision, saying that parties supporting Ali and Bisman did not fulfill the minimum threshold to join the election.

The decision was made by Southeast Sulawesi KPUD chairman Mas’udi and four other members, namely Bosman, Eka Suaib, Abdul Sahir, and LM Arddin.

“Five members of the Southeast Sulawesi KPUD acted unprofessionally [by annulling the pair from the election]. Their decision created public uncertainty and reduced the public’s trust in the commission,” said DKPP member Nurhidayat Sardini as quoted by kompas.com.

In the upcoming gubernatorial election, incumbent Governor Nur Alam and deputy governor Saleh Lasata will compete against two pairs of challengers; Buhari Matta and his running mate Amirul Tamim and Ridwan with his running mate Khaerul Saleh. (han/lfr)