Commission II Of The DPR Never Discourses On Changes In The 2024 Pilkada Schedule

Deputy Chairman of Commission II of the DPR Saan Mustopa emphasized that until now Commission II of the DPR has never discussed changes to the schedule for the 2024 Simultaneous Pilkada.

This was conveyed in response to the suggestion of Bawaslu Chairman Rahmat Bagja to discuss the option of delaying the implementation of the simultaneous regional elections because the implementation of the simultaneous regional elections coincides with the 2024 General Election and has the potential to disrupt security and order.

"In the DPR, especially Commission II of the DPR RI, there is no such thing as a discourse or discussion, both officially and unofficially related to the matter of delaying or advancing the regional elections," said Saan as quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, July 25.

Because, he said, if there is a change in the schedule for the 2024 Simultaneous Regional Head Elections, it must revise the Pilkada Law because Law Number 10 of 2016 concerning the Second Amendment to Law Number 1 of 2015 Article 201 paragraph (8) which mandates simultaneous national voting in regional elections throughout Indonesia to be held in November 2024.

"Because if there is a consequence (change), we have to revise the Pilkada Law. So, when do we want to revise it? Or if for example there is a Perppu, when do we have a Perppu? Wong is all currently concentrating on the implementation of the February 14, 2024 elections," he said.

For this reason, Saan assessed that the proposal raised by Bawaslu regarding the option to postpone the 2024 Simultaneous Regional Elections only caused an atmosphere of uncertainty and political noise.

"Promoting or repatriating it creates uncertainty again and will cause a commotion," he said.

Saan assessed that Bawaslu is not in the realm of its authority as the maker of the law so that it can roll out the discourse on postponing the 2024 Simultaneous Pilkada.

"The Pilkada law has the authority in the DPR RI and the government, so (Bawaslu) just carry out the law and there is no need to discuss it related to the matter of advancing or resigning the regional elections," he said.

Saan reminded Bawaslu to prepare the stages of holding the 2024 Simultaneous Elections and Regional Head Elections properly.

"For certainty and avoiding polemics and so on, it will confiscate our energy when we focus on holding elections that are fair, democratic, quality, transparent, professional, and accountable should not be interfered with unnecessary things, which are beyond our authority," said Saan.

Previously, on Thursday (14/7), the Election Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) proposed the government and election organizers, such as the General Elections Commission (KPU) to discuss options for delaying the implementation of the 2024 Simultaneous Pilkada.

According to Bawaslu Chairman Rahmat Bagja as quoted from the official Bawaslu website, the option to postpone the 2024 Simultaneous Pilkada should be discussed because its implementation coincides with the 2024 General Election and there is also the potential for disruption of security and order.

"We are actually worried that the 2024 Election (Pilkada) will be due to the vote in November 2024, in which October 2024 will be the new presidential inauguration, of course with ministers and officials who may change. Therefore, we propose that we should discuss the option of postponement of elections (pilkada) because this is the first time simultaneously," said Bagja.