Coordinating Ministry For Political, Legal And Security Affairs Invites Election Discussions To Be Postponed But Bawaslu Refuses To Attend, Rizal Ramli: Mas Mahfud MD Don't Understand, It's A Constitutional Coup

JAKARTA - Bawaslu has confirmed that it does not intend to attend the coordination meeting regarding the postponement of the 2024 General Election which was initiated by the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal and Security Affairs (Kemenko Polhukam). In addition to Bawaslu, the event also invited a number of institutions including the KPU as election organizers.

The event, which was originally scheduled to be held at the Gran Senyiur Hotel, Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, Monday, March 21, has been cancelled. Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud MD admitted that he had canceled the meeting related to the coordination of the postponement of the 2024 election.

Former Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Rizal Ramli asked Mahfud MD to supervise his subordinates more firmly. Because efforts to extend President Joko Widodo's term again, he said, have clearly damaged the constitution.

"Mas @mohmahfudmdKepiye, how come you're going too far? That's a constitutional coup, you know, doesn't the Prof. of State Administration understand?" said Rizal Ramli through his Twitter account, @ramlirizal, Tuesday, March 22.

Previously, KPU Chair Ilham Saputra admitted that an invitation was sent to the KPU Chair and the Balikpapan City Bawaslu Chair, as well as the Head of the Balikpapan City Kesbangpol Headquarters to be resource persons in the coordination meeting for the postponement of the 2024 Election.

The coordination meeting will be chaired by the Assistant Deputy for Election Management and Strengthening of Political Parties at the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal and Security Affairs.

Upon the invitation, Ilham admitted that he had asked for an explanation from the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud MD. To Ilham, Mahfud explained that the activity was an affirmation of the government in dealing with the issue of postponing the election.

In which case, the government is still carrying out the plan for holding the 2024 Simultaneous Election. Therefore, Ilham invited his staff to attend the coordination meeting with a commitment to carry out the 2024 election stages.

"Please invite regencies/cities to attend and at the same time confirm the KPU's commitment to holding elections and the 2024 elections in accordance with the constitution and applicable laws," Ilham said when confirmed, Friday, March 18.