Government Wants Election 15 May 2024, Mahfud MD: Time and Cost Efficiency Without Violating the Constitutional Agenda

JAKARTA - Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs (Menko Polhukam) Mahfud MD said the government proposed holding the 2024 General Election on May 15 because it considered a number of things. Starting from time and cost-efficiency. It is also certain that the proposal was not carried out arbitrarily but through a rigorous simulation process.

"We propose an election day that is efficient and cost-effective without violating the constitutional agenda. It has been done with a strict simulation. The KPU and DPR can make suggestions as well," he wrote through his Twitter account @mohmahfudmd quoted on Sunday, October 17.

Furthermore, the former Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court (MK) also explained the reason for the new government to propose an election schedule. According to him, this proposal first waits for the General Elections Commission (KPU) in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

"Some people say, Why has the government just proposed a schedule for the election? Why not first? Yes, yes. The KPU, which has the authority to determine the election schedule, has only asked the opinion of the Government and the DPR in accordance with the provisions of the law," said Mahfud.

Moreover, if the government proposes a date earlier than the KPU's request, there will be an unfavorable perception from the public.

"If we haven't been asked, how come we submit it first, later it will be accused of having a hidden agenda," he said.

"On the other hand, if we have been asked for an official opinion, why don't we propose later we can be accused of not wanting to hold an election," added Mahfud.

As previously reported, the government held an internal meeting attended by President Joko Widodo and Vice President Ma'ruf Amin, Minister of State Secretary Pratikno, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs, Minister of State Secretariat Pramono Anung, Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian, Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani, Commander of the Indonesian Armed Forces, Marshal TNI Hadi Tjahjanto, National Police Chief Gen. Pol Listyo Sigit Prabowo, and BIN Head Budi Gunawan to discuss the implementation of the 2024 General Election.

As a result, the government proposes that the 2024 General Election be held on May 15, 2024. That date is considered the most rational to be submitted to the KPU and DPR RI.

In addition, the date is considered better than the KPU's proposal that the 2024 General Election be submitted on February 21. The reason is, on that date, many processes are too long, both backwards and forwards.