16-10-2023 (JAKARTA) The Constitutional Court of Indonesia delivered a significant blow on Monday by rejecting multiple petitions aimed at altering eligibility requirements for presidential and vice presidential candidates. This ruling complicates the widely anticipated attempt by the incumbent leader’s son to enter the election fray next year.
The court’s decisions came after a series of similar petitions were submitted, adding to the mounting criticism of outgoing President Joko Widodo’s alleged efforts to establish a political dynasty and maintain influence long after his term ends.
Indonesia, the world’s third-largest democracy, is preparing for simultaneous presidential and legislative elections scheduled for February 14 next year.
Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto and Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo are currently neck-and-neck in opinion polls, with former Jakarta governor Anies Baswedan trailing in third place.
Chief Justice Anwar Usman, who is not only the president’s brother-in-law but also heads a panel of nine judges, dismissed the petitions that sought to lower the minimum age requirement from 40 to 35 and to permit individuals with civil service experience to run for president and vice president.
The judges asserted that determining the age limit fell under the purview of lawmakers and that the petition lacked legal justification.
Had these petitions been accepted, they would have paved the way for the president’s son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, who currently serves as the mayor of Surakarta city, to enter the February election, likely as Prabowo’s running mate.
Gibran had yet to respond to requests for comments regarding the ruling.
Last week, President Joko Widodo, known popularly as Jokowi, brushed off criticism that he is creating a political dynasty. He maintained that the ultimate choice of leadership should be left to the people.
Presidential candidates and their running mates are expected to formally register with the elections commission between October 19th and 25th.
