DPR Commission II Explains Why Election Bill Meetings Are Still Being Held Behind Closed Doors

Jakarta (ANTARA) – Aria Bima, deputy chairman of Commission II of the House of Representatives (DPR), said meetings of the working committee on the General Election Bill (RUU Pemilu) had so far been held behind closed doors because the process was still at the draft-design stage.

On Thursday, Commission II held a working committee meeting on the bill with the DPR’s Expertise Agency (BKD). The meeting remained closed until it concluded.

“This is only a draft. We are still gathering different interests, from the most philosophical, ideological and sociological considerations to the constitutional technical engineering involved, along with the various interests at stake,” Aria said at the parliamentary complex in Jakarta on Thursday.

He said the working committee was still discussing the fundamental issues and provisions that should be included in the revision of the law.

“We do not want discussions that are still at an early stage to cause public controversy,” he added.

Aria said Commission II had received input from around 62 speakers on the bill.

The BKD has also held dozens of meetings to draft the bill, involving academics, civil society and political groups as part of an evaluation of previous elections.

The eventual legislation will also need to be adjusted to take account of various Constitutional Court rulings.

“At this point, we are simply aligning the draft proposals we intend to submit. After the draft is submitted, there will still be teams from each faction,” he said.

Earlier, Commission II deputy chairman Bahtra Banong was appointed head of the working committee tasked with drafting the bill to amend Law No. 7 of 2017 on General Elections.

The appointment was made at an internal Commission II meeting chaired by DPR deputy speaker Sufmi Dasco Ahmad at the DPR building in Jakarta on Thursday.

“Today’s internal working committee meeting will appoint Mr Bahtra Banong as head of the working committee for drafting the Election Bill. Is this approved?” Dasco said, before striking the gavel to confirm the decision.