Nabiel Gibran El Rizani, Jakarta – The General Election Commission (KPU) has extended invitations to 11 experts representing diverse fields to partake in the opening of five presidential debates ahead of the February 14 election.

The upcoming Tuesday's debate will center on crucial themes such as governance, the rule of law, anti-corruption measures, and human rights issues.

All three candidates – Anies Baswedan, Prabowo Subianto, and Ganjar Pranowo – are mandated to attend.

KPU Commissioner August Mellaz said on Saturday that the majority of the panelists are esteemed academicians from various universities.

To maintain impartiality and insulate them from external influence, these experts will be quarantined from Sunday until the commencement of the debate at the KPU building, August said.

The panelists include Mada Sukmajati, a political science professor at Gadjah Mada University; Rudi Rohi, a political science professor at Nusa Cendana University; Lita Tyesta, an expert in state administrative law from Diponegoro University; Khairul Fahmi, a law professor at Andalas University; Agus Riewanto, an expert in state administrative law from Sebelas Maret University; Susi Dwi Harijanti, a state administrative law expert from Padjadjaran University; Bayu Dwi Anggono, a law professor at Jember University; Ahmad Taufan Damanik, former chairman of the National Commission for Human Rights; Al Makin, a religion professor at Syarif Hidayatullah Islamic University; and Wawan Mas'udi, a political lecturer at Gadjah Mada University.

Their primary responsibility is to craft questions for all candidates based on their respective areas of expertise.

Two senior journalists of state-run news broadcaster TVRI, Ardianto Wijaya and Valerina Daniel, have been selected as debate moderators.

The first three debates primarily involve the presidential candidates, although their running mates are permitted to attend as well. The final two debates will showcase all candidate pairings.

Source: https://jakartaglobe.id/news/11-experts-set-to-participate-in-first-presidential-debat