Discourse On The 2024 Election Postponed To 2027 Is Considered To Have Hit The Pillars Of Democracy

JAKARTA - A legal observer from UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, A. Tholabi Karlie, assessed that the 2024 election discourse which was postponed until 2027 hit the pillars of democracy through the general election instrument. Because according to him, the essence of the election is to circulate leadership regularly and steadily (fixed term).

"And pushing back the 2024 elections to 2027 clearly violates that principle," said Tholabi in Jakarta, Friday, August 20.

The Dean of the Faculty of Sharia and Law of UIN, explained that the term of office of the president/vice president and members of the DPR has been regulated, namely for five years. If the election is postponed, it will change the term of office of the president/vice president, including members of the DPR.

"In fact, the election is a mechanism for the people to correct their choices in the previous election," said Tholabi.

Moreover, he continued, the constitution clearly states that the president's term of office is five years and he can be re-elected to the same office for one term.

"Article 7 of the 1945 Constitution is very clear about the five-year term of office of the President/Vice President," said the lecturer of Constitutional Law (HTN).

If the COVID-19 pandemic is used as an excuse to postpone the election, Tholabi suggests that an election scenario during the pandemic period be made immediately by utilizing an accountable digital platform.

However, Tholabi reminded that the idea of postponing the election would threaten the participation of Gen-Z who already have voting rights in the 2024 election.

"If the scenario is that the general election is withdrawn, it will be the same as delaying the participation of Generation Z who were born in 2007 to participate in the 2024 election," concluded Tholabi.