Indonesian Islamic Congress Secures Candidate Nominations in Locked, Guarded Boxes

Security is paramount for the nomination boxes of the Ahlul Halli wal Aqdi (Ahwa) council at the 35th Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Congress. These glass-encased boxes, holding proposed names for the nine senior clerics who will select the PBNU's supreme leader, are kept in a guarded room at the Bahrul Ulum Tambakberas Islamic boarding school in Jombang.

The committee has implemented stringent measures, including CCTV monitoring and round-the-clock guarding by 15 members of the Pondok Pesantren Bahrul Ulum security unit. This ensures the integrity of the nomination process, which has seen proposals submitted by regional NU branches since the start of participant registration.

Mohammad Nuh, Rais Syuriah PBNU and Secretary of the Steering Committee, explained that the boxes are designed without keys to prevent any suspicion of tampering. Accessing the contents requires breaking the boxes entirely. The transparent nature of the room, located in front of the residence of KH Abdul Rozaq Sholeh, allows public visibility, further reinforcing transparency and security.

The Ahwa council holds significant authority in choosing the Rais Aam, the highest position within PBNU. The meticulous security surrounding the nomination process underscores the importance of this selection, aiming to maintain public trust and ensure a fair deliberation among the chosen religious leaders.