3 New Autonomous Regions Appear In Papua, CSIS Urges The Government To Issue A Perpu For The Addition Of Electoral Districts

JAKARTA - Head of the Center for Strategic International Studies (CSIS) Political and Social Change Department (CSIS) Arya Fernandes urged the government to immediately issue a government regulation in lieu of law (perpu) related to the addition of new electoral districts (dapil) in the 2024 election.

With the existence of three new autonomous regions (DOB), namely the Provinces of South Papua, Central Papua, and Papua Mountains, the government must reorganize the electoral district.

"So, before October, when the determination of the number of seats and the determination of the electoral district begins, there must be a perpu," said Arya Fernandes when contacted in Jakarta, Antara, Tuesday, July 26.

Arya mentioned the stages of determining the number of seats and determining electoral districts from October 14, 2022 to February 9, 2023.

According to him, the Perpu is the main choice because the time for its formation is faster than the revision of Law Number 7 of 2017 concerning General Elections.

He considered that the DPR would not open the opportunity to revise the Election Law because the first stage will be on June 14, 2022, namely planning programs and budgets as well as drafting regulations for implementing elections.

The discussion on the revision of the Election Law, continued Arya, also provides an opportunity for political parties to discuss changes to other articles.

It was also stated that a limited revision of the Election Law could be made, especially in the attachments related to the allocation of electoral districts.

"So, to avoid complications in the future, there should be a re-arrangement of electoral districts and seat allocations," said Arya.