Mahmud Yusuf, Roy Marthen Moonti
This study employs normative legal research, which examines secondary legal materials, including legislation, legal doctrines, and scholarly literature, to analyse legal issues concerning the misuse of the National Identification Number (Nomor Induk Kependudukan/NIK). In normative legal studies, law is understood as a system of norms that regulates human conduct and provides guidance for resolving legal disputes. Within criminal law, offences classified as lex specialis are regulated outside the Indonesian Criminal Code (KUHP) because of their distinctive characteristics. Document forgery, including the unlawful use of identity data, is governed under Article 263 of the KUHP and other related provisions concerning forgery offences. The misuse of a person's NIK may result in significant legal and social consequences for victims. One common example is the unauthorised registration of an individual as a member of a political party, which can hinder eligibility for recruitment into the Civil Service (PNS), the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), or the National Police (Polri), where political neutrality is a mandatory requirement. In addition, several private-sector employers restrict political affiliations, thereby limiting employment opportunities for affected individuals. Therefore, stronger legal protection is required through clearer regulations and stricter sanctions against perpetrators who misuse NIKs, particularly in the context of Regional Representative Council (DPD) elections, to ensure legal certainty, protect citizens' constitutional rights, and maintain the integrity of the electoral process.