KPU Explains Reasons For Proposal To Accelerate Registration Schedule For Presidential And Vice Presidential Candidates

DOC VOI

The General Elections Commission (KPU) plans to accelerate the registration schedule for presidential and vice presidential candidates for the 2024 General Election to October 10 to October 16, 2023.

This new schedule is included in the draft KPU regulations (PKPU) regarding the nomination of participating in the Presidential and Vice Presidential General Elections that have not been ratified.

Meanwhile, in PKPU Number 3 of 2022 concerning Election Stages and Schedules, the registration schedule for presidential and vice-presidential candidates starts from October 19 to November 25, 2023.

KPU chairman Hasyim Asy'ari explained that the acceleration of the registration schedule for presidential and vice-presidential candidates, which also shortened the duration of the nomination stage, was in accordance with the rules.

"In my view, it is appropriate. By considering the regulation of Article 276 of the Election Law, the framework of stages and times in Article 230 to Article 238 of the Election Law, and also with the most reasonable and possible technical considerations, these options are appropriate," Hasyim told reporters, Friday, September 8.

Hasyim explained, in the previously made schedule, the stages of nominating candidates for members of the DPR, DPD, DPRD, and presidential and vice-presidential candidates both ended on November 25, 2023.

Thus, all candidates start the campaign with the same start, namely November 28, 2023.

However, there is a regulation of Article 276 of Law 7/2023 which regulates the start of the campaign period with a benchmark for determining the list of permanent candidates (DCT).

Hasyim said this had an impact on changing the schedule for the nomination stage. Thus, the promotion of the presidential and vice presidential candidate registration schedule is an option raised by the KPU.

"Changes at the nomination stage are the most likely changes, this is apart from the 75-day campaign period restrictions, voting day is the most definitive and almost irreversible stage," said Hasyim.

Meanwhile, if you want to maintain a long stage with different campaign start provisions, the consequences will affect a campaign period of less than 75 days.

If it is to be maintained for 75 days, it will have an impact on the day of the vote which must also be postponed.

"By taking into account the tightness of the stage and time framework that is limited in some of these arrangements, the stages that have been designed by the KPU are the stages that are actually the most rational by also considering the time it takes for verification experiences in previous elections," he added.