The General Elections Commission (KPU) in Indonesia has officially opened the registration process for prospective legislative candidates, known as “caleg.” The submissions of caleg names are simultaneous, occurring at the national, provincial, and district/city levels.
The administrative requirements for becoming a candidate are outlined in KPU Regulation No. 10 of 2023, which covers the nomination of members of the People’s Representative Council (Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat or DPR), Provincial Legislative Councils (Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat Daerah Provinsi), and District/City Legislative Councils (Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat Daerah Kabupaten/Kota).
“These administrative requirements have been codified in PKPU 10 of 2023, which can be accessed via JIDH.kpu.go.id,” stated KPU Member Idham Holik.
Mandatory resignation for head of regions and civil servants
Individuals aspiring to be legislative candidates at the national, provincial, and district/city levels, as well as the Regional Representative Council (Dewan Perwakilan Daerah or DPD) in the 2024 elections, are required to resign from their current positions. This stipulation is governed by Article 182, Clause k, and Article 240, Paragraph (1), Clause k of Law No. 7 of 2017 on Elections.
In addition to heads and deputy heads of regions, civil servants and employees of the state apparatus must also resign if they intend to run as caleg. Furthermore, members of the National Police (Polri) and the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) must relinquish their uniforms when pursuing candidacy.
Directors, commissioners, supervisory board members, and employees of state-owned enterprises (BUMN) and regional-owned enterprises (BUMD) are also obligated to resign if they wish to become caleg. They are prohibited from campaigning for election candidates.
Article 14, Paragraph (1) of PKPU Regulation No. 10 of 2023 outlines the technical procedures for the resignation of regional leaders who aspire to become caleg. They must submit a formal resignation decision, issued by the relevant authorities, to their political party at the time of filing their candidacy.
Several regional leaders who have declared their candidacy for the 2024 elections have already resigned from their positions, including:
- Governor of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Viktor Laiskodat, running for the NasDem Party in East Nusa Tenggara II electoral district (Dapil II NTT).
- Deputy Governor of West Java Uu Ruzhanul Ulum, running for the PPP in West Java VIII electoral district (Dapil Jabar VIII).
- Deputy Governor of Lampung Chusnunia Chalim, running for the PKB in Lampung II electoral district (Dapil Lampung II).
- Regent of Karawang Cellica Nurrachadiana, running for the Democratic Party in West Java VII electoral district (Dapil Jabar VII).
- Mayor of Palembang Harnojoyo, running for the Democratic Party in South Sumatra I electoral district (Dapil Sumsel I).
- Regent of Ogan Komering Ilir (OKI) Iskandar, running for the PAN in South Sumatra II electoral district (Dapil Sumsel II).
- Deputy Regent of Blitar Rahmat Santoso, running for the PAN in East Java IX electoral district (Dapil Jatim IX).
- Mayor of Jambi Syarif Fasha, running for the NasDem Party in Jambi through Partai NasDem.
- Deputy Mayor of Ternate Jasri Usman, running for the PKB in North Maluku electoral district (Dapil North Maluku).
- Regent of Lebak Iti Octavia Jayabaya, running for the Democratic Party in the Banten I electoral district (Dapil Banten I).
- Regent of Purworejo Agus Bastian, running for the NasDem Party in Central Java VI electoral district (Dapil VI Jateng).
- Regent of Donggala Kasman Lassa, running for the PAN in Donggala I electoral district (Dapil Donggala I).
- Regent of Bone Bolango, Hamim Pou, running for the NasDem Party in North Sulawesi electoral district (Dapil Sulut).
