Experts highlight four key principles in relation to the revision of the Election Law

Jakarta (ANTARA) – Executive Director of the Center for Political Studies (Puskapol) at the University of Indonesia (UI), Hurriyah, said four important principles have been highlighted in relation to the revision of the General Election Law (UU Pemilu). During a discussion titled “Apa Kabar Revisi Pemilu Kita?” in Jakarta, on Thursday (5/3), Hurriyah said these principles relate to constitutionalism, competitiveness, representation, and accountability that can be proposed to political parties in parliament.

“According to me, there are at least four things we need to keep reminding the DPR today, to political parties,” she said.

First, the principle of constitutionalism, which links the discussion on revising the General Election Law to upholding the full mandate of the constitution through several Constitutional Court (MK) decisions. “The first is the principle of constitutionalism. Do not let the discussion of revising the General Election Law that may, at the end, negate the constitutional mandate. The mandate of Constitutional Court rulings makes this issue of constitutionalism important,” she said.

Hurriyah explained that revising the General Election Law would place the position of all parties in Indonesia in a state of equality, fairness, and safety within the principle of competitiveness. This principle opens space for more dynamic party competition.

“Narrowing the space for competition, which has long been carried out by political parties through nominations, through political money, and so forth, must be changed, and we in the coalition (civil society) when proposing revisions to the General Election Law must ensure that the space of competition becomes better,” she explained.

In addition, the third principle concerns representation. She explained that the position of people in elections is not only as voters, but the elected candidates have a representation relationship with voters to voice issues from the electoral district (dapil) in the House of Representatives (DPR) and the Regional House of Representatives (DPRD).

Fourth, she added, accountability issues in organising elections become an important focus given the high phenomenon of money politics. The principle emphasises that political money should be avoided and transparency regarding the administration of elections should be introduced.

“I think these four principles are what we must remind ourselves of while, of course, we together provide input on how the technical aspects of revising the Election Law can achieve four major objectives,” she said.