KPU Prepares Internal Studies for 2029 Election

The General Elections Commission (KPU RI) has begun early preparations for the 2029 general election by drawing up a series of internal studies to serve as input for improving future electoral governance. This step has been taken even though deliberations on the Election Bill (RUU Pemilu) at the House of Representatives (DPR RI) have not yet officially begun.

KPU RI Chairman Mochammad Afifuddin said the studies focus on evaluating previous election administration as well as simulating various options for improving the system. The internal forums have been deliberately prepared so that the KPU is ready to offer a technical perspective should the lawmakers request one at any time.

“We at the KPU are preparing many forums to carry out a kind of internal study, the orientation of which is to provide input when requested by the lawmakers,” Afif said at the KPU RI office in Jakarta on Monday (20 July).

Afif stressed that the KPU does not favour any particular electoral system model. The studies cover a mapping of various alternatives, ranging from the electoral system to the arrangement of electoral constituencies (dapil), complete with an analysis of their strengths, weaknesses, and implementation challenges on the ground.

According to him, the KPU’s position in the revision of the Election Law is to provide input based on its institutional experience as the election organiser. Meanwhile, aspirations from the perspective of election participants or political parties will be channelled through the legislative process in Commission II of the DPR RI.

“The note is that once the law emerges and we are asked to provide input, only then will we convey it officially. For now, we are following the ongoing process because revising the law is the domain of the DPR and the government,” he added.

Beyond preparing the studies, the KPU has also begun examining the projected timetable for the 2029 general election. Based on previous experience, crucial stages such as political party registration usually begin around June, followed by the development of information systems towards the end of the year before the election year.

The KPU is committed to continuing to work in accordance with prevailing regulations whilst awaiting new policy directions from the revision of the Election Law, in order to ensure the readiness of the five-yearly democratic celebration.