Electoral De-evolution

From an op-ed piece titled Political Parties and Corruption in the Regions.

Indonesian Corruption Watch (ICW) says that the regional elections face an 'emergency of integrity' with as many as eight candidates caught red-handed accepting bribes in just the last two months.

Based on ICW's records, in 2010-2018 some 242 regional heads were declared corruption suspects and in 2010-2017 there were 72 cases of election organisers who were arrested for taking bribes.

ICW also noted that much of the campaign money being spent during regional elections will be used to pay for political dowries (a payment by candidates to gain endorsement from political parties), vote trading and bribing electoral organisers.

Kompas - March 26, 2018