Jakarta – The General Election Commission (KPU) of the Republic of Indonesia confirmed its commitment to implement the decision of the Constitutional Court (MK) regarding changes to norms in the Regional Head Election Law (UU), and there will be no revision of the Pilkada Law.
The Chairman of the Indonesian KPU, Mochammad Afifuddin, stated clearly that the KPU’s position remained consistent with what had been previously conveyed.
“We convey, we repeat again, as the news circulates, the KPU in this case has taken steps to follow up on the Constitutional Court’s decision,” said Afif at a press conference.
“So if the question is whether the KPU is following up on the Constitutional Court’s decision, we emphasize that the KPU is following up on the Constitutional Court’s decision,” he added firmly.
Afif emphasized that the KPU will continue to follow up on the Constitutional Court’s decision by including the decision in the KPU regulations (PKPU). To ensure this process runs according to correct procedures, the KPU will also consult with the DPR and the government in an orderly manner.
According to Afif, consultation with legislators is a formal step required based on MK Decision Number 92/PUU-XIV/2016, which requires the KPU to consult before issuing a PKPU. However, he also reminded that based on another Constitutional Court decision in 2017, the results of the consultation meeting did not bind the KPU in making decisions.
“Why are we doing this (consultation), we have previous experience that there was a Constitutional Court decision in the presidential election process, decision 90 which at that time was on its way and then we followed up but the consultation was not carried out for one reason or another, then in the DKPP complaint and decision we stated wrong and given a final, stern warning,” added Afif.
This step was taken as a form of caution, considering previous experience when the KPU received harsh sanctions from the Election Organizer Honorary Council (DKPP) because it did not have time to consult regarding the Constitutional Court’s decision in the presidential election process. Afif hopes that this consultation route will provide legal certainty and maintain the credibility of the Pilkada process.
“I think this is clear enough to be information that friends convey to the public, the voting public, and so on. “Of course, these consultation routes are merely orderly procedures based on our experience,” explained Afif.
The KPU has submitted a request for this consultation since Wednesday (21/8/2024), and registration of regional head candidates itself is scheduled to open on 27-29 August 2024. With a firm and consistent attitude from the KPU, it is hoped that the implementation of the 2024 Pilkada will run smoothly and in accordance with democratic principles.
