PKS Still Studying the Proposal for the Regional Election Through the DPRD and E-Voting

JAKARTA - The Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) has not stated its stance regarding the proposal for the Regional Head Election (Pilkada), either through the DPRD or E-Voting. PKS Secretary General Muhammad Kholid said his party was still conducting in-depth studies by receiving input from various elements of society about the best pilkada mechanism.

"Direct elections are constitutional and democratic, and constitutionally it is also stated that elections through the DPRD are also democratic. So both directly and indirectly are possible," said Kholid at the Parliament Complex, Senayan, Jakarta, Tuesday, January 13.

"However, in the future discussions, we need to make a thorough study. We involve the public's participation widely to the community, so that meaningful participation runs well," continued the West Java Dapil Legislator.

Kholid said the PKS faction still wanted to discuss the proposal comprehensively in the DPR RI. "We listen to the public's views, we listen to the views of academics, yes, national figures, mass organizations, yes, so that the discussion in a procedural manner has fulfilled public participation, yes," he said.

"And we discuss it academically, the direct election has been running for 20 years. What is the evaluation? It is important that there must be an evaluation. We must be objective, rational, academic, yes, what is the evaluation of the direct election for 20 years," he added.

In addition, Kholid said, the PKS wants to find alternatives if there is indeed a correction to the direct implementation of the election. "Well, we have to discuss it on an open, transparent, participatory table with the community. Well, this is what we want to encourage," he said.

"We are not in a hurry to make a decision here, so we need to study it in depth, comprehensively," added Kholid.

Including the issue of PDIP's proposal regarding the direct Pilkada through e-voting, Kholid emphasized, the PKS also wants to decide clearly which is the best mechanism. Meanwhile, said Kholid, Pilkada via e-voting is possible to run.

"Maybe, yes we'll see. How do we simulate. There are walks in various countries. Maybe that can be done," he said.

"So this way, we don't want to be stuck on agreeing or disagreeing, but we discuss it first with a cool head, clearly, academically, yes, rationally. What is this 20-year journey, we have to evaluate it, wisely, scientifically, so that we are not crowded in just the media. We stand on an academic, scientific basis, so that whatever the decision is, it is the result of a mature study and consensus," he concluded.