Golkar Says MK Ruling on 30% Female Quota Sanctions Not an Issue

JAKARTA, Kompas.com — Golkar Party Deputy Chairman Ahmad Doli Kurnia said the Constitutional Court (MK) ruling imposing disqualification sanctions on political parties failing to meet the 30% female candidate quota would not be an issue. ‘To date, no political party has failed to comply with the rule. All parties field at least 30% female candidates,’ Doli told Kompas.com on Wednesday (27 May 2026). Doli said the MK ruling essentially strengthens affirmative action for women’s representation in the DPR. He noted the key change post-ruling is the introduction of sanctions for parties failing to adhere to the rule. Previously, the MK partially granted a material test petition regarding Article 245 of Law No. 7 of 2017 on General Elections concerning female candidate representation in legislative elections. The ruling was read by MK Chief Suhartoyo during a hearing at the MK building in Jakarta on Monday (25 May 2026). In its verdict, the MK stated that Article 245 of the General Elections Law is unconstitutional unless interpreted to allow disqualification of political parties in specific electoral districts that fail to meet the minimum 30% female candidate requirement. In its legal reasoning, Constitutional Judge Adies Kadir stated the need to clarify political parties’ obligation to field at least 30% female candidates. According to Adies, this clarification is necessary to reduce discrimination against women’s representation in the DPR and DPRDs through fair electoral mechanisms.