Tuesday Night, KPU And DPR Discuss PKPU Amendments To The Age Limit For Vice Presidential Candidates

The General Elections Commission (KPU) (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Today, Tuesday, October 31, the night is planned by the General Elections Commission (KPU) to hold a hearing (RDP) of Commission II of the DPR. This meeting is related to the revision of the General Election Commission Regulation (PKPU) regarding the age limit for presidential and vice presidential candidates.

"The plan is that Tuesday, October 31, at 19.00, an RDP will be held or consultation between the KPU, DPR, Commission II, and the government," said KPU Chairman Hasyim Asy'ari.

Hasyim explained that the norms in PKPU often change due to the judicial review decision at the Constitutional Court (MK). So according to him, there is no need for a revision of the law.

For example, the norm of ministers who will run in the presidential election is required to resign from their positions. At that time there was a judicial review to be changed and it was enough to apply for approval from the president.

"Itu juga tidak ada revisi UU, seperti mantan terpidana yang harus selama lima tahun itu putusan MK, dan tidak ada revisi UU karena begitu diungkap langsung berlaku," ungkapnya.

Previously, the Chairman of the General Election Commission (KPU) Hasyim Asy'ari, confirmed that Gibran Rakabuming Raka could still qualify as a vice presidential candidate in the 2024 presidential election, even though the KPU (PKPU) regulations had not yet been revised.

It is known, Article 13 paragraph (1) in PKPU Number 19 of 2023 stipulates the age limit for presidential and vice presidential candidates is 40 years. Meanwhile, Gibran is now 36 years old.

The eldest son of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) can register himself as a presidential candidate to the KPU because there is a decision from the latest Constitutional Court (MK).

The Constitutional Court in its decision changed the article on the minimum age limit for presidential and vice-presidential candidates to a minimum age of 40 years or once/in the position chosen through general elections, including regional head elections.

"Reading it (Gibran's candidacy) as it should respect the decision of the Constitutional Court, one of which is the condition is that he is at least 40 years old or is currently occupying a position to fill it through general elections or regional elections," said Hasyim last week.

Referring to the Constitutional Court's decision, Hasyim also assessed that Gibran was not constrained by the age limit. This is because Gibran is currently occupying the position chosen through the general election, namely the mayor of Solo.

Gibran has also submitted a letter of approval and leave permit from President Jokowi so that this allows him to register as a vice presidential candidate.

"That is true, if there are people who are holding positions as regional heads, the filling is through the regional elections, there is a provision what the active regional head must do, submit a letter of approval and a leave permit from the president," explained Hasyim.