Not Wanting Too Many Presidential Candidates, DPR Learns Plus Minus Presidential Threshold Zero Percent

Election Illustration (ANTARA)

JAKARTA Deputy Chairman of Commission II DPR RI Aria Bima revealed that his party will study pluses minuses from the decision of the Constitutional Court (MK) which abolished the presidential nomination threshold or a presidential threshold of zero percent.

According to him, the Constitutional Court's decision to abolish the presidential threshold has the potential to increase the number of presidential candidates in the 2024 election, and this must be studied carefully to avoid negative impacts.

"We don't want too many presidential candidates. For example, if there are 18 political parties participating in the election, then 18 presidential candidates can participate in the presidential election. Is it possible that 18 presidential candidates can compete in the first round, then the coalition will form in the second round? This is what we need to learn more," said Aria, Thursday 9 January.

This politician from the PDI-P stated that Commission II of the DPR would further discuss the Constitutional Court's decision regarding the abolition of the presidential threshold. The DPR, according to him, will not immediately approve the decision, but will note various considerations to maintain the conduciveness of democracy in the implementation of the presidential election.

"The presidential threshold without restrictions on parties carrying presidential candidates will certainly be arranged further, including regarding political parties participating in the election," said Aria.

Previously, the Constitutional Court decided to abolish the presidential threshold requirements which required political parties to have certain seats in the DPR to nominate the president. The Constitutional Court considers that Article 222 of the Election Law which regulates this is contrary to the 1945 Constitution and has no binding legal force.

This decision opens up greater opportunities for any party to run for president or vice president, which can create new dynamics in Indonesia's democratic system. However, the Constitutional Court also asked the DPR and the government to revise the Election Law to prevent the emergence of too many presidential candidates.

"In the revision of the Election Law, lawmakers can regulate that too many pairs of presidential and vice presidential candidates do not appear, to maintain the essence of direct elections by the people," said Deputy Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court Saldi Isra when reading legal considerations on January 2, 2025.