Coordinating Minister Yusril: Revision of Election Law an Opportunity for Comprehensive Improvement
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Correctional Services (Menko Kumham Imipas) Yusril Ihza Mahendra views the revision of the Election Law, which has been included in the 2026 National Legislation Priority Programme, as an important opportunity for comprehensive improvement.
In a public lecture at Udayana University in Bali on Tuesday (14/4), Yusril described the codification of election regulations as a strategic step to create an integrated, rational, and sustainable legal system.
“Electoral law reform must not be done partially. We need a coherent and long-term design to address the challenges of modern democracy,” Yusril stated, as confirmed in Jakarta on Wednesday.
He underlined several key principles in organising electoral law, including popular sovereignty, legal certainty, meaningful public participation, respect for human rights, and adaptation to digital democracy challenges.
In addition, Yusril stressed the importance of maintaining a balance between political representation and governmental effectiveness as the core of a healthy democratic system.
“We must not choose between representation or effectiveness. Both must be present simultaneously in the electoral system we build,” he said.
He opined that discussions on elections cannot be viewed merely as technical issues, but concern fundamental aspects of state life, particularly related to popular sovereignty and the legitimacy of power.
According to Yusril, elections are not just a five-year procedure, but a bridge between the people’s aspirations and the formation of legitimate government.
Thus, he stated that elections contain fundamental issues about how law limits power to prevent its abuse.
Furthermore, the Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Correctional Services highlighted that Indonesia’s current electoral legal system still faces challenges in achieving stability.
“This is reflected in the high number of judicial reviews of election laws at the Constitutional Court, which indicates design problems in the electoral system,” he said.
According to him, democracy must not be reduced merely to the implementation of elections because a democratic rule of law must be measured by the quality of law enforcement, protection of citizens’ rights, and the effective functioning of state institutions.
“Democracy does not stop at procedures. Its ultimate goal is the realisation of a just, transparent state life that respects human dignity,” Yusril revealed.
The former State Secretary also invited all elements of the nation, especially academics and students, to play an active role in overseeing legal reform and maintaining the quality of Indonesian democracy.
He affirmed that electoral regulation is truly part of a major effort to build a more mature republic.
Thus, Yusril reminded that this is not merely about political competition, but about the quality of institutions that will be bequeathed to future generations.