PKS Legislator Disagrees with PDIP: Election Bill Normally a Government Initiative

Member of the DPR’s Commission II from the PKS faction, Mardani Ali Sera, disagrees with the PDIP DPP Chairman and Commission II member Deddy Sitorus, who rejected the Election Bill becoming a government initiative. Mardani stated that the Election Bill is usually a government initiative.

“Normally from the Government. The government has the advantage of strengthening the technocratic side; we have held six elections and it is often called procedural democracy, we need to level up to substantive democracy,” said Mardani when contacted on Sunday (10/5/2026).

Mardani noted that a government proposal would still be agreed upon by the political parties in the DPR. He does not take issue with that.

“Even if from the government, it will still be discussed and approved by all parties in the DPR,” he said.

Mardani understands the emergence of the proposal for the Election Bill to be a government initiative. According to him, there is public desire for the bill to be discussed promptly.

“Why is there an idea from the government? Because the public hopes that the discussion of the Revision of the Election Law, which has not yet progressed, will soon roll out. So both are fine, the important thing is that it starts soon,” he stated.

Previously, the PDIP Deputy Chair of Commission II in the DPR, who is also the PDIP DPP Chairman, Deddy Sitorus, rejected the proposal for the Election Bill to become a government initiative. According to him, such a step is inappropriate.

“Those with interests 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 executive,” 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 ultimately consensus. Differences certainly exist, and even those differences 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 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 into DPR initiatives. But a law that is vital for the DPR is proposed to be a government initiative. What’s going on?” he said.