DPR Assures Public Participation Will Be Open in Election Bill

Work on the rules for the 2029 elections has entered an active phase, with the public invited to contribute. Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives (DPR) Sufmi Dasco Ahmad and leaders of the DPR’s Commission II announced the appointment of Commission II Deputy Chair Bahtra Banong as head of the working committee for the Draft Election Bill.

The announcement was made at the parliamentary complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Thursday (8 October 2026). Dasco said he hoped the committee would begin its drafting agenda promptly, starting by gathering views from a range of groups.

“Good luck with your work. You will begin by listening to the aspirations of the public and political parties, as well as other input considered necessary to enrich the Draft Election Bill,” Dasco said.

Commission II Chairman Rifqinizamy Karsayuda said the appointment followed consultations with the DPR leadership. Commission II has been tasked with forming two working committees: one for the Election Bill and another for the Population Administration Bill. Each will be led by a Commission II deputy chair, while all Commission II leaders will serve collectively as part of the committees’ leadership.

“As commission chairman, I will ensure that both working committees operate effectively and can complete their work in a timely manner, while giving due consideration to the substance and to meaningful participation,” Rifqinizamy said.

Bahtra said the committee’s work schedule had been drawn up, including hearings and public hearings during the parliamentary recess. The groups whose views will be sought have also been identified. The schedule and progress of deliberations will be shared openly through Commission II’s social media accounts. Bahtra said the aim was to ensure that future elections are more than merely conducted.

“We also want to improve the quality of our elections and our democracy, in line with what the public hopes for,” Bahtra said.

He added that all key issues, including the 30 per cent quota for women’s representation, would be opened to public comment before being incorporated into the bill.

With the working committee now beginning its work, the DPR says the rules for the 2029 elections will be drafted with the public. The views gathered now will provide a foundation for improving the quality of democracy.