Commission II Of The DPR: Determining The Election Schedule Is Absolute In The Hands Of The KPU

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JAKARTA - Commission II of the DPR RI stated that the determination of the schedule for the 2024 General Election (Pemilu) was in the hands of the General Elections Commission (KPU). This is in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations.

Deputy Chairman of Commission II of the DPR RI, Junimart Girsang said, in accordance with Article 22E of the 1945 Constitution, Article 167 of the Election Law and the Constitutional Court's Decision No. 92 of 2016, that the General Election shall be held by the KPU which is national, permanent and independent.

“The authority to determine the election schedule is absolutely in the hands of the KPU. Article 167 of the Election Law explicitly states that the determination of the day, date, and time of voting is determined by the KPU with a KPU decision," Junimart told reporters, Thursday, November 18.

Junimart said the schedule from the KPU would be brought and consulted at Commission II of the DPR RI together with the Ministry of Home Affairs, Bawaslu, and DKPP in the form of a Working Meeting for a decision.

"This means that the election schedule that has been determined by the KPU is only limited to consultations in the DPR RI, which is then followed up by the KPU by explaining the pre-stages, stages and so on until voting, counting the ballot papers from the results of the voting and announcement of the results of the voting until the determination," explained Junimart.

The PDI-P politician continued that consultations with the Indonesian House of Representatives and the Government in making KPU regulations (PKPU) were not binding. This means, said Junimart, that what is proposed by Commission II of the DPR or the Government is only a proposal.

"Commission II of the DPR RI must focus on criticizing the basis for determining the schedule to the final election results stage in accordance with the objectives of the election itself. KPU and election organizers must be independent, cannot be interfered with,” said the legislator from North Sumatra.

Junimart said that the 2024 election stage could be shortened without compromising the process and value of the election itself, given the current situation and conditions.

"The time for the stages could be shortened considering the current pandemic situation without making a wedge in the process of stages and values, the spirit of the election is still alive," said Junimart.

It is known, the government proposed that the 2024 Simultaneous Elections be held on May 15. Meanwhile, KPU RI intends to hold it on February 21.