Election Malpractice: A Case Study of the Election Process at the Polling Station in the 2024 Depok City Election

Abstract

This study examines electoral malpractice in the 2024 general election in Depok City, Indonesia. The research objective is to identify and evaluate indications of electoral malpractice during the voting and vote counting processes. A qualitative explanatory case study methodology was employed, utilizing in-depth interviews with key stakeholders including election commission officials, election supervisors, and district election committee members, supplemented by document analysis of official reports. The findings reveal three primary forms of electoral malpractice. First, administrative malpractice occurred through voter list input errors affecting 18 additional voters exceeding quotas and logistical inadequacies resulting in ballot shortages at three polling stations, with deficits ranging from 45 to 110 ballots. Election supervisors identified 434 missing ballot boxes and 224 damaged ballot boxes. Second, voter preference manipulation manifested through subtle money politics, including distribution of small monetary amounts and food packages by candidates. Third, process manipulation involved technical errors in digital vote counting systems, particularly optical character recognition misreading numbers in the electronic recapitulation application. The study concludes that while no large-scale structured malpractice significantly altered election results, identified administrative, preference manipulation, and technical issues demonstrate systemic weaknesses in electoral integrity. These findings contribute to understanding electoral quality challenges in Indonesian democracy and highlight the need for strengthened oversight mechanisms and technical capacity improvements in future elections.