AHY Supports Constitutional Court's 30% Female Candidate Quota Ruling: 'We Have Implemented It'

Democratic Party Chairman Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) has responded to the Constitutional Court’s (MK) ruling regarding parties being disqualified or excluded from electoral districts if they fail to meet the 30% female candidate quota. AHY stated that the Democratic Party supports the decision.

“In principle, we strongly support it, and we have always strived to meet the 30% female quota in every election and legislative polls,” AHY said at the Democratic Party’s headquarters in Menteng, Central Jakarta, on Wednesday (27/5/2026).

AHY stated that the Democratic Party has been working to meet the 30% female quota in every election. He noted that the MK’s decision has been implemented by the party through the Srikandi Demokrat movement and other initiatives.

“I believe this is something we have consistently implemented. The Democratic Party has always supported women’s participation in politics and democracy. Through initiatives like the Srikandi Demokrat movement, we aim to encourage women’s involvement in political activities and parliament, as we hope their voices will reflect Indonesia’s substantial female demographic,” he said.

AHY hopes more female Democratic politicians will take on strategic roles in parliament and executive positions at both national and regional levels. He said the party values women’s perspectives and ideas.

“This is not merely an affirmative action, but because we consider the thoughts, ideas, and issues that our female politicians can champion to be of utmost importance,” AHY added.

“Now is the time to prepare our best cadres and recruit women across Indonesia to join the Democratic Party in our future struggles,” he added.

Previously, the MK ruled that a minimum 30% female representation in DPR/DPRD candidates must be strictly adhered to. The court stated that parties failing to meet the 30% female candidate quota would be disqualified or excluded from the electoral district.

The MK’s clarification was issued in ruling 128/PUU-XXIV/2026 during a court session on Monday (25/5). The petition was filed by Maya Novita Sari, Imas Dion Febriani, Cahya Camila Evanglin, and Fatati Nailul Munadia, who sought a ruling that Article 245 of Law No. 7/2017 on Elections contradicts the 1945 Constitution because it did not specify sanctions for parties violating the quota.

In the ruling, the MK amended the wording of Article 245 of Law No. 7/2017 on Elections. The ruling states: “Article 245 of Law No. 7/2017 on Elections is declared unconstitutional under the 1945 Constitution and unenforceable unless interpreted as: ‘the list of candidates as per Article 243 must include at least 30% female representation, and if this quota is not met, the Election Commission, provincial Election Commissions, and district/city Election Commissions shall disqualify or exclude the political party from the relevant electoral district’.”

Previously, the article read: “Article 245: The list of candidates as per Article 243 must include at least 30% female representation.”