8 party elites come together to reject the discourse of closed-list electoral system

Jakarta, IO – Eight major political parties met at the Dharmawangsa Hotel, South Jakarta, Sunday (8/1) to issued five-point joint agreement to reject the closed-list proportional representation electoral system proposed by PDI-P, CNN Indonesia reported on Monday (9/1).

The meeting, initiated by Golkar, asked the General Elections Commission (KPU) to hold the 2024 elections according to schedule and regulations.

The meeting was attended by Democratic Party chairman Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY), Golkar chairman Airlangga Hartarto, PKB chairman Muhaimin Iskandar, PAN chairman Zulkifli Hasan, PKS president Ahmad Syaikhu, NasDem vice chairman Ahmad Ali and PPP vice chairman HM Amir Uskara. Representative from the Gerindra Party didn’t attend but the party issued statement that it stands with the consensus.

Read: Prabowo Subianto inaugurates Gerindra’s election campaign committee

The following are the five points of agreement:

1. We reject closed-list proportional system and are committed to maintain the progress of democracy in Indonesia which has been carried out since Reformasi. The closed-list proportional electoral system is a setback for our democracy. On the other hand, an open-list system is a manifestation of democracy based on people’s sovereignty where they can choose their preferred legislative candidates nominated by political parties. We don’t wish to see out democracy goes backwards.
2. An open-list system is the right choice and is in accordance with the decision of the Constitutional Court No. 22-24/PUU-VI/2008 on December 23, 2008 which has been implemented in three elections. And lawsuits against the jurisprudence will set a bad precedent for legal system and are not in line with the nebis in idem principle.
3. That KPU continues to carry out its duties as an election organizer by maintaining its neutrality and independence in accordance with statutory regulations.
4. We appreciate the budget allocated by the government for the 2024 elections, especially budget for KPU, so it can continue to carry out 2024 elections process according to what has been mutually agreed upon.
5. We are committed to competing in the 2024 elections in a healthy and peaceful manner while maintaining national unity and integrity in order to maintain political, security and economic stability. (rr)