Indonesia’s Constitutional Court today denied a petition to modify the country’s election ballot system. This verdict ensures the continuation of direct voting for individual legislators in future elections in the world’s third-largest democracy.
Several politicians, including members of the ruling Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), had initiated the lawsuit. They advocated a reversion to the closed ballot system, stirring concerns about potential political interference in the impending elections of next year. Indonesia is slated to concurrently hold legislative and presidential elections in February 2024.
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Suhartoyo, one of the judges, elucidated that the court had decided in favor of an open system, considering it augments “healthy competition” and “provides flexibility to the voters”. Critics argued that switching from the current open system would regress the democratic nation back to the authoritarian era when political party heads solely held the power to nominate lawmakers.
Interestingly, eight out of the nine parties represented in parliament, including those in alliance with the ruling PDI-P, had strongly criticized the case. This widespread disapproval echoed a shared belief in the importance of maintaining the openness and fairness of Indonesia’s democratic process.
This decision reinforces Indonesia’s commitment to an open, democratic process that allows for direct voting, fostering healthy political competition and ensuring voter agency in the choice of lawmakers. The ruling effectively puts a damper on concerns about political meddling and potential regression to authoritarian practices in the vibrant Southeast Asian democracy.
This news is based on reporting by Malay Mail.
