Constitutional expert Mahfud states Electoral Law revision must be finalised by March 2027
Jakarta — Constitutional law expert Mahfud MD has assessed that the revision of Law Number 7 of 2017 concerning Elections must be completed no later than March 2027.
He conveyed this during a public hearing session (RDPU) of Commission II of the House of Representatives with constitutional law experts discussing the Electoral Law Bill at the Parliament Complex in Jakarta on Tuesday (10 March 2026).
“I am saying that at the latest, by March 2027 it should be completed. Electoral registration phases cannot begin in June if the law is only passed in May, for example. That would be rather tight,” Mahfud stated during the hearing.
Therefore, the House of Representatives could prepare anticipatory steps should the Constitutional Court undertake judicial review of the new Electoral Law.
“There will still be judicial reviews and so forth — these must be anticipated so it is clear from the outset,” Mahfud said.
Discussions will commence after the House of Representatives’ Expertise Body completes the problem inventory list (DIM) and academic draft of the Electoral Law Bill.
“We are targeting discussions around July or August, after the entire problem inventory list has been properly compiled,” said Commission II Chair M Rifqinizamy Karsayuda when contacted on Monday (23 February 2026).
“This has been on our minds and God willing, in due time we will invite them (non-parliamentary parties) to obtain their views regarding our electoral system design going forward from their perspective,” Rifqi said.
Currently, Commission II is actively gathering public input regarding the Electoral Law Bill, inviting responses on crucial election-related issues.
“God willing, after the parliamentary recess opens, we will also continue this to ensure it happens. This is part of what is called meaningful participation,” Rifqi stated.
The Constitutional Court has issued several decisions regarding the Electoral Law. The first was Constitutional Court Decision Number 62/PUU-XXII/2024 concerning the removal of the presidential nomination threshold previously set at 20 percent.