Rapid Revision of Election Law Could Damage PPP's Image

Rather than a quick revision of the Election Law, political work with constituents could boost the PPP's vote share in 2029.

KOMPAS/RONY ARIYANTO NUGROHO

The leaders of the Central Board of the United Development Party (PPP) held a press conference regarding the Constitutional Court's interim decision at the PPP Central Office on Diponegoro Street, Jakarta, on Wednesday, May 22, 2024.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS – The United Development Party is reminded not to take the political route through a rapid revision of the Election Law. This step could actually damage the image of PPP in society because it is considered to justify any means to get into parliament. Political work with constituents must be carried out in order to increase vote acquisition in the 2029 elections.

Secretary General of the United Development Party (PPP) Arwani Thomafi said that the PPP will continue to take political steps to fight for the mandate from voters given during the 2024 general election (Pemilu). The steps that will be taken are guaranteed to be in line with the constitution. However, he did not specifically mention the political steps in question.

"Of course the steps are in line with democratic instruments and the constitution," he said when contacted from Jakarta, Thursday (23/5/2024).

Previously at a press conference at the PPP Central Leadership Council, Wednesday (22/5/2024), the Acting Chairman of the PPP Mardiono stated that he would not remain silent with the decision of the Constitutional Court which did not accept all lawsuit filed. PPP will take political channels to fight for votes from voters.

Also read: Failing to go to Senayan, PPP takes the political path of revising the Election Law, is it possible?

KOMPAS/RONY ARIYANTO NUGROHO

Acting Chairman of the United Development Party (PPP), Muhammad Mardiono, along with PPP Secretary General Arwani Thomafi, took a photo together after holding a press conference regarding the Constitutional Court's interim decision at the PPP Central Office on Diponegoro Street in Jakarta on Wednesday (22/5/2024). Original Article: Anggota Partai Keadilan Sejahtera (PKS) menyampaikan aspirasinya dalam forum rapat paripurna Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat. Sebagian dari mereka menyoroti masalah kesejahteraan masyarakat di daerah-daerah pinggiran. English Translation: Members of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) expressed their aspirations in a plenary session of the House of Representatives. Some of them highlighted the issue of community welfare in outlying areas.

According to him, the inauguration of the elected members of the DPR for the period of 2024-2029 will only take place on October 1, 2024. This means that there is still more than four months for the PPP to fight for the constitutional rights of its voters.

However, when asked further if the intention was to manipulate the threshold rules of parliament through a revision of the Election Law, Mardiono refused to reveal it. However, he did not deny that efforts to revise the Election Law are very open. Moreover, there are still representatives of the forbidden political party in the parliament.

"Of course there are political steps. This politics, right, will later refer to legal policy. However, I will not explain in detail the steps we will continue. "Because, if we play football, I have said that I will attack from the goal, attack from the right back, left back, yes, then people will be on guard," said Mardiono.

Also read: Not Passing Parliament, PPP Still Maintains Political Existence Nationally and Locally

Executive Director of the Association for Elections (Perludem), Khoirunnisa Nur Agustyati, said that the Constitutional Court is the last resort for political parties in electoral disputes. After the Constitutional Court's ruling, there is no other way the PPP can take to challenge the vote count in order to qualify for parliament.

"The Constitutional Court is the last legal recourse for contesting election results. Once the Constitutional Court has made a decision, political parties cannot pursue further legal action," he said.

KOMPAS/NORBERTUS ARYA DWIANGGA MARTIAR

Executive Director ofeludem Khoirunnisa Nur Agustyati

According to him, the political strategy of conducting a quick revision of the Election Law should not be done by PPP. Although the inauguration of the elected candidates will only take place four months from now, the General Election Commission's (KPU) decision on the election results and the appointment of elected legislative members will be made in early June 2024.

On the other hand, revisions to the Election Law, especially regarding parliamentary thresholds, cannot apply retroactively. New changes to the rules of the game can be implemented for the upcoming 2029 elections. Thus, the parliamentary threshold provisions for the 2024 elections still refer to Law 7/2017.

He reminded that PPP should not take the fast revision route of the Election Law. It will instead harm PPP because it can lower the party's image with the Ka'bah symbol. PPP can be perceived as justifying any means by changing the rules of the election game to enter parliament.

Also read: MK rejects all lawsuits, what is the fate of PPP now?

Furthermore, Commission II of the Indonesian House of Representatives has agreed that the new revision of the Election Law will only be made during the DPR period for 2024-2029. Although members of the PPP faction in the DPR have proposed it, they are few in number, only 19 out of 575 DPR members from nine factions. Meanwhile, support from other factions is required to propose revisions.

"In terms of time, it is not possible, as it takes a long time to propose a bill to be discussed together by the DPR and the government," said Khoirunnisa.

KOMPAS/RENY SRI AYU ARMAN

Thousands of PPP cadres attended the PPP Harlah Commemoration Peak in Makassar, Saturday (27/1/2024).

Therefore, it would be better for PPP to engage in political work as a form of investment in the 2029 elections. Provincial and district/city DPRD members must optimize the party's functions in the region.

Also read: Voters are increasing, but the number of Islamic-based parties in parliament is decreasing

The Head of the Department of Politics and Social Change at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Arya Fernandes, added that a comprehensive evaluation is needed for the decline of the PPP vote in the 2024 elections. There needs to be a discussion about the direction of the party's struggle in order to attract voters' sympathy. PPP also needs to reactivate interest groups within the party as they can be a source of cadres.

"PPP must evaluate its political strategy in approaching voters because voter behavior has changed a lot," said Arya.