TheJakartaPost
Please Update your browser
Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.
2024 polls at stake as politicians, KPU debate campaign schedule
“Let the General Election Commission do its job," said one former commissioner.
Change text size
Gift Premium Articles
to Anyone
Share the best of The Jakarta Post with friends, family, or colleagues. As a subscriber, you can gift 3 to 5 articles each month that anyone can read—no subscription needed!
Poll prep: Workers from the Depok General Elections Commission (KPU) stack ballot boxes at a warehouse in Cimanggis district, Depok, West Java, before the 2020 regional elections. (JP/P.J. Leo)
W
hile the recently announced 2024 election dates have ended speculation that President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo will seek to extend his term in office, the ongoing push and pull over the election timetable has created new concerns about political interference in electoral procedure.
After almost ten months of disagreement over the general election schedule, the House of Representatives recently came to an agreement with the government and the General Election Commission (KPU) that the country would hold the next presidential and national-level legislative elections simultaneously on Feb. 14, 2024.
For the first time, Indonesia will hold this general election in the same year as its nationwide regional elections, adding a number of logistical challenges to the process.
Aside from the complexities of managing both elections in the span of one year, an ongoing tug-of-war over the stages of the electoral process has signaled increased political meddling in electoral procedure, and the additional rounds of discussion threaten to stymie the KPU’s preparations.
Fresh debate over campaign schedule
Disagreement has emerged over the proper length of the campaign period after the KPU unveiled a plan to give presidential and legislative candidates 120 days to court voters.
