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Lawmakers support plan to add 19 legislative seats
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House of Representatives members attend a plenary meeting to resume the second sitting session for 2016-2017 at the House complex in Senayan, Central Jakarta, on Nov. 16. (Antara/Reno Esnir)
M
ore politicians have expressed support for a plan to add more seats at the House of Representatives, saying the current 560 seats are no longer representative given the number of newly established regions.
Deputy head of the House’s special committee on the election bill, Benny Kabur Harman, said there should be 19 additional seats to accommodate changes in regional administrations and the growing population.
The number of electoral districts, which would also affect the number of lawmakers at the House, has been among the contentious issues in the deliberation of the amendment to the Elections Law.
“There is no other option but an augmentation of House seats. The special committee has agreed to add 19 seats,” said Benny of the Democratic Party on Thursday as quoted by kompas.com.
The additional seats were also aimed at accommodating new constituencies, such as the newly established North Kalimantan province.
(Read also: Low-performing lawmakers demand more House seats)
Benny also revealed another crucial issue being discussed, which was whether to allow sole candidacy in the presidential election.
However, the Dems politician said rejections to the idea had also been voiced, saying sole candidacy would "degrade" the quality of elections and democracy. (mrc/bbs)
