KPU Waits For DPR To Schedule Discussion On Amendments To The Rules For The Age Limit For Presidential And Vice Presidential Candidates To Follow The Constitutional Court's Decision

KPU Chairman Hasyim Asy'ari/PHOTO: Diah Ayu-VOI

Chairman of the General Election Commission (KPU) Hasyim Asy'ari is still waiting for the DPR to set a schedule for a consultation meeting regarding the amendment to KPU Regulation (PKPU) Number 19 of 2023 concerning the Nomination of the Presidential and Vice Presidential Elections.

The KPU finally planned to change the PKPU 19/2023 after the Constitutional Court (MK) decision regarding the age limit of the presidential and vice presidential candidates.

Previously, the KPU only sent a circular to political parties participating in the election to be guided by the Constitutional Court's decision which allowed regional heads not yet 40 years old to run as presidential and vice-presidential candidates.

"Regarding the consultation, the meeting is waiting for the DPR. The forum is the DPR," said Hasyim at the KPU office, Central Jakarta, Friday, October 27.

The Indonesian House of Representatives is known to be entering a recess period from October 4 to October 30, 2023. The KPU is still waiting for the DPR's recess to be completed for discussion of changes to PKPU.

Hasyim believes that the process of changing PKPU, which must first consult with the DPR, will not interfere with the 2024 General Election stage.

Thus, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, a vice presidential candidate who can run for the 2024 presidential election after the Constitutional Court's decision, will be determined as a vice presidential candidate on November 13, 2023.

"This incident happened before, yes, last 2018. It's been like this many times, not something new," said Hasyim.

Previously, the KPU had issued PKPU Number 19 of 2023 concerning the Registration of Presidential Candidates and Vice Presidential Candidates for the 2024 General Election.

In Article 13 paragraph 3 of the PKPU, the requirements for presidential and vice presidential candidates are set at least 40 years from the time the KPU has determined the candidate pair by the KPU.

On Monday, October 16, the Constitutional Court granted a request for a judicial review of the Election Law regarding the age limit for presidential and vice presidential candidates which was changed to a minimum age of 40 years or had experience as regional heads.

The case with Number 90/PUU-XXI/2023 was filed by an Indonesian citizen (WNI) named Almas Tsaqibbirru Re A who came from Surakarta City, Central Java.

Almas meminta syarat pencalonan capres dan cawapres diubah menjadi usia paling rendah 40 tahun atau berpengala sebagai kepala daerah, baik di tingkat provinsi maupun kabupaten dan kota.