Political Ethics in Elections: Ethical Code Enforcement by the Election Organizers Ethics Council in Indonesia

Abstract

This study analyzes political ethics in election governance in Indonesia by assessing the effectiveness of the Election Organizer Ethics Council (DKPP) in addressing code of ethics violations during the 2021–2025 period, with the 2024 elections as a high-pressure context, and starting from the premise that elections are democratic institutions whose legitimacy depends on fair, honest, transparent, and accountable administration. Using a qualitative design, this study combines a conceptual-policy analysis of the election ethics framework with a systematic case analysis of DKPP decisions issued between 2021 and 2025 at the national and subnational levels, based on DKPP decisions, official institutional documents, and studi literature. The study's findings reveal a strong influence of the election cycle, with an increase in cases in major election years, suggesting that political pressure and operational complexity increase ethical vulnerabilities. Violations are concentrated at the ad hoc grassroots level (PPK, PPS, KPPS), indicating gaps in ethics training, uneven administrative capacity, and exposure to local influence, while smaller national-level violations can still have systemic consequences. Complaints are concentrated at the registration/verification and nomination, in the handling of violations, while complaints outside of these stages are dominated by disputes over the formation of ad hoc bodies, indicating structural weaknesses in recruitment and human resource governance. The study concludes that the DKPP’s current mechanism for addressing ethical violations has not yet been fully effective in generating a deterrent effect, as disproportionate sanctions and inconsistent decision-making have eroded institutional authority, potentially perpetuating impunity and obstructing efforts to enhance professionalism, accountability, and ethical governance within electoral administration. The study recommends standardized, transparent, rational criteria, and effective grievance mechanisms, deterrent sanctions to maintain election integrity and post-election stability across election stages.