12-6-2023 (JAKARTA) Indonesia’s Constitutional Court is set to deliver a verdict on Thursday (Jun 15) regarding a proposal to modify the country’s voting system, according to an official. The case, brought forward by several politicians, including a member of the ruling Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), aims to reintroduce a closed ballot list system that was abolished in 2008, where voters select political parties instead of individual candidates.
Among the nine factions in parliament, eight have expressed opposition to changing the current system, arguing that it would be a regressive and undemocratic step. The potential alteration has raised concerns about the possibility of delaying the upcoming election, scheduled to take place in just eight months.
Legal and political experts have cautioned that implementing changes to the balloting process in such close proximity to the February 2024 polls could lead to a potential delay. Bivitri Susanti from Indonesia’s Jentera School of Law stated, “The possibility of an election delay is high if the ruling is a closed system,” further highlighting that the election commission would require sufficient time to implement any necessary adjustments.
Fajar Laksono, spokesperson for the Constitutional Court, confirmed that a decision on the voting system would be announced on Thursday. The election, which will determine a new legislature and president in the world’s third-largest democracy, is particularly significant as the incumbent president, Joko Widodo (popularly known as Jokowi), is set to conclude his second and final term next year.
The ongoing court case and discussions of a potential election delay have fueled speculation that Jokowi’s allies desire to extend his time in power, despite his official rejection of such a scenario. Concerns have been compounded by a series of unconventional maneuvers in recent months, which some politicians perceive as potential attempts to disrupt and interfere in the electoral process.
In March, a court ordered a postponement of the election following a complaint from a newly-formed party that claimed its registration had been unfairly rejected by the election body. However, a higher court overturned the decision, and the Supreme Court accepted the party’s appeal.
Furthermore, opponents of Jokowi have expressed alarm over repeated legal efforts by his chief of staff, Moeldoko, to assume leadership of Indonesia’s largest opposition party.
While Jokowi has acknowledged his involvement in behind-the-scenes “meddling” with parties and presidential candidates, he maintains that these actions are aimed at ensuring a smooth transition of power and will not compromise democracy.
Legal experts and analysts argue that any postponement of the 2024 elections would require revisions to the elections law, which are unlikely to garner the necessary support in parliament.
