The Constitutional Court Removes The 4 Percent Parliamentary Threshold, Mahfud: One-Two Percent Political Parties Don't Dream

Vice Presidential Candidate Mahfud MD (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Prospective vice president number 3, Mahfud MD said political parties can no longer dream of entering parliament if they only get a two percent vote in the General Election (Pemilu). The statement was conveyed when asked for a response regarding the decision of the Constitutional Court (MK) regarding the change in the parliamentary threshold or a 4 percent parliamentary threshold. "Don't dream, which got one percent, two percent then can enter now," Mahfud told reporters in the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium area (GBK), Friday, March 1. According to him, the Constitutional Court's decision will take effect in the upcoming 2029 election. Because, the DPR must first change the parliamentary threshold 4 percent provisions which are now contained in Article 414 paragraph (1) of Law Number 7 of 2017 concerning the Election. "Since the 2029 election, it means that later the 2029 election will be changed first, it will change the law first, change it later. That's a mistake of course means zero as well," he said. "But, he deleted, what are the conditions. There must be other conditions not just any new parties, then they can enter parliament or those who have entered parliament, if not yet years ago, cannot participate in nominating presidential and continuous candidates. Later, it must be regulated," continued Mahfud. The former judge of the Constitutional Court considered the decision to be very appropriate. Because, it is considered in accordance with the legal tradition in the world. "Good, it must be so, it must apply in a legal tradition around the world if there is a change in the rule, which burdens or benefits one must be in the next period," said Mahfud. Previously, the MK decided that the parliamentary threshold of 4 percent must be changed before the 2029 election. But the requirements of the 4 percent parliamentary threshold still apply to the 2024 election.

This decision is related to the judicial review submitted by Needdem. The Petitioner questioned Article 414 paragraph (1) of the Election Law which stated. "The Political Party of Election Contestants must meet the threshold for vote acquisition of at least 4 percent of the total nationally valid votes to be included in determining the seat acquisition of DPR members".