Bawaslu Asks The Constitutional Court To Immediately Decide The Age Limit For Presidential And Vice Presidential Candidates

DOK ANTARA

JAKARTA - Member of the General Election Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) Lolly Suhenty asked the Constitutional Court to immediately decide on a judicial review regarding the minimum age limit for presidential and vice presidential candidates.

"If the Constitutional Court can make a quick decision, the Constitutional Court should calculate the impact on the ongoing stages," said Lolly as quoted by ANTARA, Friday, August 4.

According to him, decisions regarding the age limit for presidential and vice presidential candidates must be carried out immediately so as not to hinder the ongoing 2024 General Election process.

"It must also be calculated by the Constitutional Court so that even if the Constitutional Court's decision reads, for example, granting the request, then the KPU will automatically follow up so that technically it does not hinder the ongoing stages," he explained.

Nevertheless, continued Lolly, Bawaslu is still waiting and respecting the Constitutional Court's decision. It also still uses the old rules as a guideline for the implementation of elections.

"While the process is ongoing, as citizens, including Bawaslu, we in this context are waiting, respecting and following Law Number 7 Article 169 which has not yet changed," concluded Lolly.

The Constitutional Court is currently handling three judicial review lawsuits, namely first, case Number 29/PUU-XXI/2023 was filed by cadres of the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI) Dedek Prayudi. PSI asked that the minimum age limit for presidential and vice-presidential candidates be reduced from 40 years to 35 years.

Second, case Number 51/PUU-XXI/2023 was submitted by the Secretary General and General Chair of the Garuda Party, namely Yohana Murtika and Ahmad Ridha Sabhana. Ahmad Ridha is known to be the younger brother of the Chairman of the DKI Gerindra Party DPD Ahmad Riza Patria. The Garuda Party asked the Constitutional Court to determine the age limit for presidential and vice presidential candidates to remain 40 years old or have experience as state administrators.

The third is case Number 55/PUU-XXI/2023 which was proposed by two Gerindra cadres, namely the Mayor of Bukittinggi Erman Safar and the Deputy Regent of South Lampung Pandu Kesuma Dewangsa. Their application is the same as the Garuda Party's request.

In the last trial at the Constitutional Court on Tuesday (1/8), the DPR and the government appeared to show a signal agreeing that the minimum age limit for presidential and vice presidential candidates was lowered to 35 years or experienced as state administrators.

During the trial, the DPR was represented by a member of Commission III from the Gerindra Party faction, Habiburokhman. Meanwhile, the views of the president were represented by Minister of Law and Human Rights Yasonna H Laoly and Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian who acted on behalf of President Jokowi.