PAN Proposes Election Bill as Government Initiative, PKB: A Step Backward

Deputy Chair of PKB in the DPR RI’s Commission II, Muhammad Khozin, has responded to the emergence of a suggestion for the government to propose the revision of the Election Law (RUU Pemilu). Khozin considers this a regression, as the discussion process for the bill is currently underway in the DPR.

“The discourse on shifting the proposer of the RUU Pemilu from the DPR to the government is technically a step backward in the ongoing process in the DPR. Ideally, the current process should be continued and promptly discussed jointly with the government, considering that 20 months before the election or in early 2027, the election stages must begin,” Khozin told reporters on Tuesday (11/5/2026).

He also urged that the discussion of the RUU Pemilu be expedited by the DPR and the government. Khozin believes that accelerating the discussion of the RUU Pemilu will distance the legislative product from conflicts of interest.

“The discussion of the RUU Pemilu must be promptly addressed jointly by the DPR and the government to prepare for the 2029 election in a more optimal manner. This discussion also avoids the stigma of conflict of interest,” he said.

Nevertheless, he emphasised that constitutionally, a bill can be proposed by either the DPR or the government. He also reminded that the RUU Pemilu has been included in the priority list of the National Legislation Program (Prolegnas).

“Constitutionally, a RUU can be proposed by the DPR or the President. The RUU Pemilu has been included in the priority list of the National Legislation Program (Prolegnas) and is a DPR initiative,” stated Khozin.

“The RUU Pemilu, as a DPR initiative, has been followed up by Commission II through holding a Working Meeting for Discussion (RDPU) with various parties such as academics and NGOs concerned with election issues. In addition, the DPR has tasked the Council Expertise Agency (BKD) to draft, synchronise, and simulate crucial issues that will be needed in the discussion of the RUU Pemilu,” he continued.

Previously, the proposal for the RUU Pemilu to become a government initiative came from PAN’s Deputy Secretary-General Saleh Daulay. Saleh believed this would prevent struggles between political parties.

“As far as I recall, the RUU Pemilu has always been a government initiative. If it is to be discussed, I propose that the current one be taken over by the government. It just needs to be discussed again in the Legislation Body (Baleg) so that the discussion can start promptly,” Saleh told reporters on Thursday (23/4).

“If based on a government initiative, the intellectual struggles and party agendas can be avoided at the initial discussion stage. Even if there are differences, they will be accumulated during the discussion of the Draft Legislation (DIM),” said Saleh.

However, the proposal was rejected by PDIP’s Deputy Chair of Commission II in the DPR and PDIP’s Deputy Chairman of the Central Executive Board, Deddy Sitorus. According to him, such a step is inappropriate.

“Those with an interest in elections are political parties as election participants. Handing over the initiative of the RUU Pemilu to the government is tantamount to handing over the ‘life’ of political parties and democracy to the power holders,” Deddy told reporters on Friday (8/5).