PDIP Rejects Election Bill as Government Initiative, Coordinating Minister Yusril Responds Thus

PDIP Deputy Chairman and House of Representatives Commission II member Deddy Sitorus has rejected the proposal for the Election Bill to become a government initiative. Coordinating Minister for Law and Human Rights Yusril Ihza Mahendra stated that the government will remain passive regarding the bill.

“From the outset, it has been agreed that the initiative to amend the Election Law following the Constitutional Court decision will be submitted to the DPR. Until now, the government is still waiting for when the DPR’s initiative bill draft will be completed. Currently, the government is passive,” Yusril said when contacted on Sunday (10/5/2026).

Yusril said the discussion of the bill depends on the DPR’s initiative proposal. He emphasised that the government is ready to discuss it at any time.

“I was indeed asked by reporters when the government targets the discussion of that bill to be completed? My answer is, it depends on when the DPR submits its initiative proposal; the government is ready to discuss it,” he said.

Nevertheless, Yusril stated that ideally, the Election Bill should be completed 2.5 years before the upcoming election. “I only say that ideally, that bill should be finished 2.5 years before the 2029 Election to give the government and the KPU the opportunity to prepare everything so as not to be rushed,” he added.

PDIP Statement

PDIP Deputy Chair of Commission II in the DPR and PDIP Central Executive Board Chairman, Deddy Sitorus, rejected the proposal for the Election Bill to become a government initiative. According to him, such a step is inappropriate.

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

Deddy said that differences in political views are normal. According to him, dynamics, debates, and struggles are indeed an important part of democracy.

“In politics, there are certainly differences, debates, struggles, and in the end, consensus. Differences certainly exist, and even those differences are what give birth to political parties, elections, and democracy,” he said.

“Even in a family, there can be differences and ‘struggles’, let alone in politics? If you’re afraid of differences and struggles, then don’t engage in politics or form a political party. Don’t you understand such a basic philosophy?” he continued.

Deddy emphasised that he does not agree if the revision of the Election Law becomes a government initiative. According to him, the Election Bill is a vital law for political parties.

“I do not agree if the Election Law becomes a government initiative because this package of laws concerns the life of political parties, elections, and democracy. This proposal is odd because many technical laws are made DPR initiatives. But a law that is vital for the DPR is proposed to be a government initiative. What’s going on?” he said.