KPU Proposes 2024 Elections To Be Held On February 21, Mahfud MD: Too Long

JAKARTA - Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs (Menko Polhukam), Mahfud MD, said the General Election Commission (KPU) proposal to hold a general election on February 21, 2024, was too long. Therefore, the government proposes that the political contestation will be held on May 15, 2024.

"The KPU's own proposal, yes, the proposal for February 21 is too long backwards, too long ahead", Mahfud said in a video on YouTube of the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal and Security Affairs, Monday, September 27.

According to him, the election of the date made by the KPU should adjust to the validity period of the election or regional election which lasts for 20 months. Thus, on May 15, the government's proposal was considered reasonable.

Even so, Mahfud ensured that the choice of date was only the government's proposal. He said the government would invite the KPU to the House of Representatives later to convey the most ideal implementation date according to both of them.

"So that's actually May. May 15 is very rational according to the government. But later we will hear what the KPU from the House of Representatives looks like. But it's roughly the same because we are counting the days backwards, right", said Mahfud.

Moreover, the date is considered the most rational, especially for those new political parties. So that they will be able to prepare and complete all the requirements needed to establish a new party.

"There is still a possibility that until the beginning of May, you can still form a new party if you really want to participate in the election, if you set up a new party after that, it means that in less than half a year it is prohibited by law. Less than 2.5 that year is prohibited by law", he concluded.