PKB: 6 Per Cent Parliamentary Threshold Proposal is More Ideal and Moderate

The 6 per cent threshold maintains plurality during the political choice stage, but performs representation selection during the stage of converting votes into seats.

[Jakarta (ANTARA)] - Member of Commission II of the House of Representatives (DPR) from the PKB Faction, Muhammad Khozin, stated that while the proposal for a 5 per cent parliamentary threshold is acceptable, a 6 per cent threshold is more ideal and moderate.

According to him, the 6 per cent figure is moderate given the various proposals ranging from 5 to 7 per cent, and it remains within the corridor of Constitutional Court Decision Number 116/PUU-XXI/2023.

“A 6 per cent PT maintains plurality at the political choice stage, but performs selection of representation at the stage of converting votes into seats,” Khozin said in Jakarta on Monday.

He believes that a 6 per cent threshold represents a point of equilibrium between the need to simplify the party system in the DPR and the obligation to maintain the proportionality of political representation.

Regarding the potential for votes that cannot be converted into parliamentary seats, he mentioned that the size of the threshold does not necessarily conflict with the principle of proportionality. In his view, the engineering of representation is not merely about setting the threshold amount, but must be followed up with the design of the vote-to-seat conversion process.

To that end, he emphasised that the substance of the discussion will be conducted in the working committee (Panja) of Commission II of the DPR, which is due to be formed shortly. He noted that the current proposals and discourses are vital components of the upcoming discussion on the Election Bill.

“Amendments to the Election Law will consider various aspects, such as the Constitutional Court decision, input from political parties, academics, and universities. The spirit is that the DPR seeks impartial improvements,” he said.