The Deputy Chairperson of the Democratic Party, Dede Yusuf, has\nresponded to the proposal by NasDem Party Chairperson Surya Paloh, who\nhas consistently advocated for a parliamentary threshold of 7%. The\nDemocrats highlighted the issue of tens of millions of votes being\nwasted under the 4% threshold applied in the previous election.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Democrats are currently reviewing this, and it is not about the\npercentage itself. It is about how many people\u2019s votes will be wasted if\nthe concept remains solely based on a percentage threshold. Previously,\nwith a 4% threshold, up to 17 million votes were wasted. In 2009, with a\n2.5% threshold, 19 million votes were wasted,\u201d Dede stated on Sunday\n(20\/9\/2026).<\/p>\n
Dede explained that the Democratic Party is proposing a \u2018National\nConstituency\u2019 or \u2018national pool\u2019 concept for the election of members of\nthe Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI). He emphasised that the\nremaining votes from parties that successfully pass the threshold could\nbe pooled to determine additional seats in the DPR.<\/p>\n
Dede also referenced the merging of remaining votes (stembus accord),\na method previously used in the 1999 General Election. He expressed hope\nthat studying this concept could reduce the number of wasted votes.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is why the Democrats have proposed the \u2018National Constituency\u2019\n(national pool) concept from the beginning. The remaining votes from\nparties that pass the threshold would be converted into a national\nconstituency so that no voters\u2019 voices are wasted. The \u2018stembus accord\u2019\nmodel was used in the past,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
However, Dede Yusuf noted that the proposal is still being studied by\nthe party, pointing out that similar systems are utilised in New Zealand\nand Germany.<\/p>\n
Previously, NasDem Party Chairperson Surya Paloh revealed the reasons\nbehind his party\u2019s desire to increase the parliamentary threshold to 7%.\nHe argued that this figure could reduce the number of parties passing\nthe selection, thereby simplifying the governance of democracy.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom election to election, NasDem has been the most eager to raise\nthe parliamentary threshold. To be honest, that is our position. Our\nconsideration is to have selected parties; fewer parties to manage the\nflow of democracy in this country, in our view,\u201d Paloh explained to\njournalists at NasDem Tower, Central Jakarta, on Saturday\n(19\/9\/2026).<\/p>\n
He stated that his party remains consistent in its stance on raising\nthe threshold, though he emphasised that they respect the differing\nviews of other parties.<\/p>\n
On the other hand, Paloh noted that NasDem\u2019s current electability has\nnot yet reached the 7% mark in parliamentary threshold calculations. He\nadmitted that the party is prepared to face the possibility of not\nentering parliament if the threshold is raised to 7%.<\/p>\n
\u201cNasDem proposes 7%, even though our surveys show NasDem at 4%.\nNasDem is willing to accept not entering parliament if the parliamentary\nthreshold is raised; that is part of our desire to prioritise the\ngreater national interest over party interests,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/dynamics-of-the-5-7-parliamentary-threshold-democrats-propose-national-constituency-1789890956", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }