Speaking after the inauguration, KPU chairman Hasyim Asy’ari said all seven newly appointed commissioners would prepare for the long-sought meeting with lawmakers and the government to discuss planned KPU regulations (PKPU), which will serve as a legal basis for organizing the stages of the elections. The meeting was scheduled for Wednesday, according to Hasyim, who was elected chairman after the inauguration ceremony.

“Hopefully, in the near future, we will be able to issue regulations regarding the stages of the 2024 general elections to ensure that they will be held according to the planned schedule,” he said.

“We ask for support from all Indonesian citizens, and certainly the support from the President, the government, the House of Representatives, political parties, the media and NGOs [...] so that the elections can be carried out in a democratic, transparent, direct, accountable, free, confidential, honest and fair manner.”

Disagreements over the campaign schedule and election funds have raised concerns over the potential for prolonged rounds of debate over procedural elements of the elections, which could delay the enactment of KPU regulations. These regulations have yet to be issued, even though one of the earliest stages of the electoral process is expected to begin in June.

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Although the KPU has the sole authority to set the general election stages and timetable, as stipulated in the prevailing Elections Law, the regional elections law obliges the KPU to consult the House and the government on every draft regulation before passing it.

And hosting elections is also more complex this time because 2024 will mark the first time in Indonesian history that both presidential, legislative and nationwide regional elections are held in the same year.

Hasyim will work alongside six other new KPU commissioners – Betty Epsilon Idroos, Parsadaan Harahap, Yulianto Sudrajat, Idham Holik, August Mellaz and former Bawaslu commissioner Mochammad Afifuddin – to hold the next elections as scheduled in 2024.

Meanwhile, five newly inaugurated Bawaslu commissioners are incumbent Rahmat Bagja, who now also serves as chairman, Lolly Suhenty, Puadi, Totok Hariyono and Herwyn Jefler Hielsa Malonda.

Jokowi said in a press release that the government “will fully support the KPU and Bawaslu in their work”.

Read also: Parties row back on poll delay proposal

The inauguration came after Jokowi sought on Sunday to cease speculation of a plan being hatched by his allies to keep him in power beyond his constitutionally mandated two terms. For a second time in under a week, Jokowi urged ministers and military and police chiefs to cease discussions of the issue to prevent public speculation and said it was clear that the general elections would be held in February 2024, as planned.

The idea of extending his tenure either by changing the Constitution or delaying the 2024 elections gained momentum in recent months after numerous politicians — particularly those within the ruling coalitions — and Cabinet ministers publicly voiced their support.

On Monday, students rallied in Jakarta and in several other cities protesting against a possible delay, an extension of Jokowi’s final term, as well as rising prices. Monday’s rally in Jakarta was much larger than the wave of student-led protests held across the country last week, including in Bogor in West Java, Makassar in South Sulawesi and Semarang in Central Java.

Read also: 2024 elections hang in balance, again

Khoirunisa Nur Agustyati of election watchdog the Association for Elections and Democracy (Perludem) said that further commitment from the government and lawmakers was still needed to make sure that Indonesia can hold the next general election as scheduled. 

“If the discussion has not been completed [during] the House’s [current sitting period], the House must commit to using the recess period to continue deliberations so we can have the regulations by June,” Nisa said on Tuesday.

Doli Kurnia Ahmad, chairman of the House Commission II overseeing home affairs, floated on Tuesday a possibility of an informal meeting during recess if deliberations of KPU regulations could not be completed at Wednesday’s meeting.

“We want what is best because, from the start, we wanted to design a better concept for the 2024 general elections. So, we have to focus, as well as put in the time […] and effort. And the House Commission II is ready,” Doli told reporters.