Modification Is A Strong Option In Revision Of The Election Law, The DPR Wants To Immediately Follow Up On The Constitutional Court's Decision

Deputy Chairman of Commission III of the House of Representatives, Zulfikar Arse Sadikin. Photo: Nailin/VOI

JAKARTA - Deputy Chairman of Commission III of the DPR RI from the Golkar faction, Zulfikar Arse Sadikin, stated that the codification mechanism is the most likely option in discussing the revision of the Election Law. This approach is considered in accordance with the long-term policy direction that has been agreed upon by the state.

"We are adjusting to the policy in the 2025'2045 National Long-Term Development Plan. Law Number 59 of 2024 states that the formation of the Election Law is carried out through codification," said Zulfikar at the Parliament Complex, Senayan, Jakarta, Wednesday, July 16.

Zulfikar assessed that the codification would facilitate the synchronization of various election rules, including in responding to the decision of the Constitutional Court (MK) Number 135/PUU-XXI/2023 which decided to separate national elections and regional elections.

According to the legislator from the East Java III electoral district, the DPR has established a number of change initiatives in the National Legislation Program (Prolegnas), including the revision of the Election Law, the Pilkada Law, the Regional Government Law, to other related laws.

"This Constitutional Court decision is a momentum. Let's immediately compile the Election Law which we have agreed to amend. All debates can be discussed thoroughly in the preparation and discussion later in an elegant manner," he said.

When asked about the statement by the Chairman of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, who said that all political parties agreed that elections would still be held once every five years, Zulfikar admitted that he was not aware of any further interfraction meetings.

"The last meeting I attended was only between the leadership of the DPR, Commission II, Commission III, Baleg, the Minister of Home Affairs, the Minister of State Affairs, and the Minister of Law. After that I don't know," said Zulfikar.

Previously, Deputy Chairman of Commission II of the DPR Aria Bima also voiced support for the codification approach in the revision of the Election Law. He considered this method to be more comprehensive than the omnibus law or partial revision.

"If the codification, the perspective is holistic, comprehensive, and interrelated. Both the Political Party Law, the Election Law, to the organizing institutions such as the KPU and Bawaslu, everything must be integrated," said Aria Bima.

He added that the discussion of the electoral law needs to have a complete perception of democracy, both in terms of organizers, supervisors, participants, and voters.