DPR Commission II: Constitutional Court Ruling Protects Women's Political Rights

Chair of DPR Commission II, Rifqinizamy Karsayuda, has expressed respect for the Constitutional Court’s (MK) ruling regarding sanctions for political parties that fail to meet the 30% female candidate quota. He stated the ruling safeguards women’s political rights.

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

He noted that the 30% female candidate quota has long been a requirement under Law No. 7 of 2017. According to him, the latest MK ruling reinforces this law by adding sanctions for non-compliance.

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

Constitutional Court Ruling on 30% Female Candidate Quota

Previously, the MK ruled that the requirement for at least 30% female representation in elections for DPR and DPRD members must be strictly adhered to. The court stated that parties failing to meet the 30% female candidate quota would be disqualified from the election in the relevant electoral district.

This clarification is detailed in ruling 128/PUU-XXIV/2026, delivered on Monday (25 May). The petition was filed by Maya Novita Sari, Imas Dion Febriani, Cahya Camila Evanglin, and Fatati Nailul Munadia, who sought to have Article 245 of Law No. 7 of 2017 on Elections deemed unconstitutional for not specifying sanctions for parties violating the rule.

“Accepting the petitioners’ request in part,” said MK Chairman Suhartoyo during the hearing.

The ruling amends Article 245 of Law No. 7 of 2017 on Elections. The court’s decision states:

“Declares Article 245 of Law No. 7 of 2017 on Elections unconstitutional under the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia, and has no binding legal effect unless interpreted as ‘the list of prospective candidates as referred to in Article 243 must include at least 30% female representation, and if this requirement is not met, the General Election Commission (KPU), provincial KPU, and regency/city KPU shall disqualify or exclude the political party from participating in the election in the relevant electoral district’.”

Previously, the article read:

Article 245

The list of prospective candidates as referred to in Article 243 must include at least 30% (thirty percent) female representation.