Constitutional Court Mandates 30% Female Candidate Quota in Elections

In its ruling, the Constitutional Court (MK) amended the wording of Article 245 of Law No. 7/2017 on Elections. The ruling states: “Article 245 of Law No. 7 of 2017 on Elections is declared unconstitutional unless interpreted to mean that the list of candidates as referred to in Article 243 must include a minimum of 30% female representation, and if this requirement is not met, the General Election Commission (KPU), Provincial KPU, and District/City KPU shall disqualify or exclude the political party from participating in the relevant electoral district.”

From the parliament building, the rule has been warmly received by several figures. Rifqinizamy Karsayuda, Chairman of Commission II of the House of Representatives (DPR RI), welcomed the ruling, stating it represents protection for women’s political rights in Indonesia.

“The Constitutional Court’s decision provides constitutional protection for women’s political rights, particularly in candidate nominations,” Rifqi told reporters on Tuesday, 26 May 2026.

“I believe this is positive for our future electoral blueprint, which is more gender-progressive and supports feminist movements within our politics,” he added.

Similarly, party leaders such as Mardani Ali Sera from PKS and Saleh Partaonan Daulay from PAN supported the ruling. While agreeing, Daulay noted that meeting the 30% quota is not easy. He also believes all parties have already conducted cadres and political education for women.

“It is indeed not easy. Various efforts are needed to prioritise women. With the law and Constitutional Court ruling in place, it now falls to political parties to implement affirmative action. If the path is clear, women are ready to compete,” said the Deputy Chairman of PAN’s DPP, as reported by detikNews on Tuesday, 26 May.