Jimly Proposes Limited Omnibus Law and Codification for Electoral Bill Covering 16 Statutes
JAKARTA — Constitutional law expert Jimly Asshiddiqie has proposed adopting a limited omnibus law methodology alongside limited codification for revisions to the Electoral Law (UU Pemilu).
Asshiddiqie presented these recommendations during a session with Commission II of the House of Representatives held at Parliament Complex in Jakarta on Tuesday, 10 March 2026.
“I propose that a limited omnibus law technique be employed,” Asshiddiqie stated in his presentation.
He argued that the omnibus law methodology could be applied to electoral matters, not merely to economic affairs. Beyond the limited omnibus approach, Asshiddiqie simultaneously recommended a limited codification method for the Electoral Bill.
“Previously, electoral governance statutes, electoral laws, and regional election laws were consolidated into one. Now they need to be consolidated further. That is what is called limited codification,” he explained.
Asshiddiqie contended that the omnibus methodology is necessary to comprehensively restructure Indonesia’s legal framework. Since the reform era began, the former Constitutional Court Chief observed that numerous electoral problems have persisted.
“For instance, at minimum there are 16 statutes that must be reviewed and amended. If they are not corrected, it may not be apparent in the House of Representatives, but on the ground there are many problems,” he said.
He cited Aceh as an example, noting that the province lacks the national Election Commission (KPU) and Election Supervisory Board (Panwaslu), instead having the Acehnese Election Institution (KIP) and Acehnese Election Supervisory Board (Panwaslih).
“These are regulated under the Aceh Governance Law. When established, Panwaslih has five members, whereas Panwaslu throughout Indonesia has three members appointed nationally,” Asshiddiqie explained.
“The two additional members are selected from the local regional parliament. When it comes to implementation, there are disputes over budgeting. My goodness, it is as if there will be conflict over this terminology. So please correct this in this law. The Aceh Governance Law should be given special legal status in just one clause,” he continued.
Similarly, regarding the Jakarta Special Capital Region Law, he suggested that the Thousand Islands district should not require its own Election Commission but instead establish an ad hoc arrangement.