No Country Delays Elections Due To Economic Growth, Titi: Unusual And Unusual

JAKARTA - Not a single country in the world postpones general elections (elections) with the excuse of maintaining stability in economic growth. This statement was made by a member of the Supervisory Board of Needdem, Titi Anggraini, in Semarang.

"Postponing the election is the second popular strategy used besides constitutional amendments," Titi Anggraini told Antara in Semarang, Saturday, February 26. This statement appears related to a number of leaders of political parties supporting the government who are discussing extending the term of office of the president/vice president.

This election activist views the discourse as a strategy in order to extend the duration of power. In addition, it also avoids limiting the term of office by avoiding the implementation of elections.

Titi said that during the COVID-19 pandemic a number of countries did postpone their elections for a certain period of time. However, the consideration is for the safety of the citizens' souls.

"This was also carried out with great care, strict legal considerations, and an open process," he said.

As for the reason for economic growth, according to Titi, apart from being very odd, unusual, it is even clearly against the constitution.

According to Titi, Article 7 of the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia clearly stipulates that the president and vice president hold office for 5 years, after which they can be re-elected in the same position, only for one term.

In addition, Article 22E paragraph (1) of the 1945 Constitution also explicitly states that general elections are held in a direct, general, free, secret, honest and fair manner every 5 years.

"Elites and political party leaders should be obedient and obedient in carrying out the constitution, not even offering something that clearly has no loopholes in the Election Law and our constitution," said Titi.

He argued that a bad constitutional culture, apart from being a bad political education, could also foster greater apathy in the public towards officials.