Indonesian House to visit parties for Election Law revision talks

Indonesia's House of Representatives (DPR) is actively seeking public input as it prepares to revise the nation's Election Law. Bahtra Banong, Deputy Speaker of Commission II of the DPR, stated that the legislative body is currently absorbing public aspirations to inform the drafting process.

Commission II plans a proactive approach, including visits to various political parties, even those not currently represented in parliament, to gather their perspectives. This initiative, confirmed by consultations with DPR Deputy Speaker Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, aims to ensure broad participation in shaping the amendments to Law Number 7 of 2017 concerning Elections.

Bahtra emphasized that ample time remains before substantive discussions on the revisions begin. He stressed the importance of public involvement in lawmaking, stating, "The most important thing in making laws is that public participation space must also be involved."

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The most important thing in making laws is that public participation space must also be involved.

Echoing this sentiment, Zulfikar Arse Sadikin, another Deputy Speaker of Commission II, highlighted ongoing discussions with political experts and election officials. Despite the lack of immediate substantive debate, he affirmed that the DPR remains the initiator of the Election Law revision bill, which is included in the national legislative program for 2026.

Meanwhile, the government has indicated its willingness to take the lead in drafting the revisions if parliamentary discussions become protracted. Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Prisons, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, stated the government is prepared to renegotiate with the DPR if the process remains unfinished within the next two and a half years. The last substantive discussion on the revisions occurred on June 2, involving researchers and former election commission officials.

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This is the DPR's initiative, which Commission II is tasked with drafting. As of now, it is still in the stage of drafting the academic paper and the bill.