Researcher says MK ruling on female representation requires political party support

Indikator Politik Indonesia researcher Bawono Kumoro stated that political party support is essential for the Constitutional Court’s ruling on sanctions against parties failing to meet the 30% female representation quota. Such support is necessary to implement the ruling in the ongoing draft election law (RUU Pemilu), he added, and parties backing the decision should be commended. ‘This provision has been included in the Election Law, but without strict sanctions for parties failing to comply,’ Bawono said in a statement in Jakarta on Wednesday. He viewed the ruling as a sign of the Court’s support for women’s future and role in politics. Additionally, political parties’ support for the ruling serves as a measure of their capability in developing female cadres. Previously, the Constitutional Court partially granted a petition regarding a material review of Article 245 of Law No. 7 of 2017 on Elections, which concerns the 30% female representation quota in legislative elections. In its ruling, the Constitutional Court (MK) stated that Article 245 of Law No. 7 of 2017 contradicts the 1945 Constitution and is conditionally unenforceable unless interpreted as: ‘Candidate lists under Article 243 must include at least 30% female representation, and if this quota is not met, the General Election Commission (KPU), provincial KPU, and district/city KPU shall disqualify or exclude the party from the relevant electoral district.’ ‘The ruling, in summary, partially grants the petitioners’ request,’ said MK Chief Suhartoyo during the verdict reading at the MK’s Plenary Courtroom in Jakarta on Monday (25 May).