Will a 0% Presidential Threshold Trigger a Flood of Presidential Candidates?

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - A zero percent presidential nomination threshold is predicted to trigger a flood of presidential candidates (capres). Voters should not be confused in determining their leader.

Nevertheless, the Constitutional Court (MK) ruling that opens the possibility of the presidential threshold becoming 0 percent is not yet fully final in practice.

This is because the opportunity still needs to be incorporated into revisions to the General Elections Law (Pemilu), as mandated by the MK’s decision.

Amid this discourse, concerns have emerged that abolishing the threshold will trigger an explosion in the number of capres, thereby confusing the public in making choices in the 2029 Election.

However, several observers assess that this scenario is not as straightforward as imagined.

“The consequences of a 0% presidential threshold do indeed have the potential to produce many presidential candidates,” said Iwan.

Theoretically, every political party that passes the election can nominate its own capres. If all parties take that step, the number of candidates could increase significantly at the same time.

“If, for example, the political parties declared to have passed the election each nominate a president, the voters/public will definitely be confused in determining their choice,” he said.

Political dynamics, according to him, will instead lead to a simplification of the number of candidates through the formation of coalitions.

“However, in my view, even though many capres may emerge at the beginning, in the end it will narrow down to a maximum of 3-4 candidates, because coalitions will form,” he said.

“Even with zero threshold, I’m not too convinced there will be many candidates. Only parties that have the courage will put forward their champion in the 2029 Presidential Election,” Adi told Kompas.com on Monday (13/4/2026).

According to him, the main issue lies in the logistical capabilities of political parties. The presidential election contest requires substantial political costs, so not all parties have the capacity to advance.