Decision on Detailed Election Stages Urgent

There is no certainty about the duration of the 2024 election campaign period after the option, which is 90 days according to the KPU's proposal and 75 days as suggested by several Commission II factions of the DPR.

KOMPAS/HENDRA A SETYAWAN

A working meeting attended by the Minister of Home Affairs, the Chair of the General Election Commission with Commission II of the DPR at the Parliament Complex, Senayan, Jakarta, Wednesday (13/4/2022). The agenda for the meeting is to discuss preparations for the 2024 simultaneous general election.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS – Stakeholders must immediately decide the duration of the campaign period, as this will determine the technical regulations for the stages, programs and schedule of the 2024 general election. The first stage of the 2024 elections must begin in less than two weeks, on 14 June 2022.

Election organizers, House of Representatives Commission II and the government have discussed the planned General Elections Commission regulations (PKPU) several times. So far, there are two options for the duration of the campaign period: the 90-day campaign period proposed by the KPU and the 75-day campaign period proposed by several factions from House Commission II.

“Determining the duration of the campaign period must be mutually agreed. It requires careful consideration,” said Hurriyah, deputy director of the University of Indonesia Center for Political Studies.

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Hurriyah pushed for an immediate decision, as this would set the stages of the 2024 elections in motion, since the election organizers have a tight timeline. On the flipside, voters also have a lot to learn about the next elections.

Election organizers, House Commission II and the government are expected to set aside sectoral egos and sit down together to discuss the issue.

Prolonging this decision would disrupt the election process. Hurriyah warned that this should not give some parties an excuse to again raise the issue of postponing the 2024 elections on the grounds that the election organizers were not ready.

KOMPAS/HENDRA A SETYAWAN

A motorcyclist passes in front of a banner announcing the selection of legislative candidates for the 2024 General Election in the Patal Senayan area, Jakarta, Wednesday (25/5/2022). The General Elections Commission ensured that the 2024 election stage would start on time on June 14, 2022.

House faction stances

Ahead of a scheduled meeting to discuss the PKPU on Tuesday (7/6/2022), the House factions varied in their stances on the duration of the campaign period. Some factions pushed for a 75-day campaign period, while others preferred to leave it up to the KPU.

House Commission II chairman Ahmad Doli Kurnia Tandjung of the Golkar Party faction said that all factions in the commission had agreed to a shortener campaign period for the 2024 elections. Campaign periods in past elections, such as in 2019, were too long and caused divisiveness. Previous campaign periods could last up to 203 days.

According to Doli, technological advancements could facilitate public communication through digital means, which was more effective and efficient compared to traditional campaigns. Thus, it was still possible for a short campaign period to reach the same number of voters as long campaign periods.

“Until now, the Golkar faction deems that a 75-day campaign period will be better, as long as it does not interfere with logistics,” said Doli.

House Commission II deputy chairman Junimart Girsang of the Democratic Party faction concurred and asked that the General Elections Commission (KPU) simulate a 75-day campaign period.

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Although the KPU said that logistics procurement and distribution would be challenging in a 75-day campaign period, it would be a solution that supported the President’s instructions and accelerated the processing of the nomination dispute at the Supreme Court (MA).

“Objectively, we suggest a 75-day campaign period. If the KPU can afford a campaign period lasting 75 days, then why not? If it can be short, why should a campaign last so long?” said Junimart.

Moreover, House Commission II deputy chairman Saan Mustopa of the Nasdem Party faction said that the President had asked that the campaign period last a maximum of 90 days. This meant that the campaign period could be shorter than the duration proposed by the KPU. It was necessary to simulate a 75-day campaign period. During yesterday’s meeting, the KPU also said it was impossible to hold a 60-day campaign period, making the 75-day campaign period the best middle solution.

KOMPAS/PRAYOGI DWI SULISTYO

Working meeting of Committee I of the Regional Representatives Council (DPD) together with the General Elections Commission in Jakarta, Tuesday (24/5/2022).

Three considerations

House Commission II deputy chairman Yanuar Prihatin of the National Awakening Party (PKB) faction said that the campaign duration must comply with the Election Law, nomination disputes at the Election Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) and the State Administrative Court, as well as the production and distribution of election logistics.

With these three considerations in mind, the KPU had been asked to simulate the feasibility of the 75-day and 90-day campaign periods. Whatever the decision, the KPU, as the most competent body to organize the elections, would be the one to execute the election stages.

“The KPU is already familiar with this issue while politicians at the House are not, so we must put our trust in the KPU,” said Yanuar.

Based on the conclusion of the consignment meeting, we can expect to test two different campaign durations, a 75-day campaign period and a 90-day one.

House Commission II chairman Anwar Hafid of the Democratic faction said the party had always fully supported the KPU as the organizer that understood the technicalities of organizing the elections. The KPU was asked not to force a simulation, so it still had sufficient space to ensure that logistics were not disrupted.

“If the KPU believes that 90 days is the most ideal duration, then the Democrats fully support this,” he said.

KPU member Idham Holik said the commission would submit a report of the campaign duration simulation results for the 2024 elections at a meeting with House Commission II next week.

“Based on the conclusion of the consignment meeting, we can expect to test two different campaign durations, a 75-day campaign period and a 90-day one. The two alternatives will be presented at the House meeting,” he said.

This article was translated by Kesya Adhalia.