"We have also received several representatives, and we will pay attention to their aspirations," he assured at the Parliament Complex in Jakarta.
According to Ahmad, demonstrations are a part of democracy. However, he reminded the masses to keep the situation conducive during demonstrations.
He said that the 3rd Plenary Meeting for Session Period I of Session Year 2023–2024 to ratify the Regional Election Bill on Thursday morning was canceled as the number of participants fell short of the quorum.
When asked about his plan to meet the demonstrators in front of the DPR building, Ahmad said he did not want to seek popularity.
The meeting to ratify the Regional Head Election Bill, which was planned to be held on Thursday morning, was canceled and rescheduled as the quorum was not met.
On Wednesday, DPR's Legislation Body and the government agreed to continue the discussion on ratifying the Regional Election Bill into law at the DPR plenary meeting.
Two crucial materials of the Bill were agreed upon in the Regional Election Bill Working Committee Meeting. First, the adjustment of Article 7 of the Regional Election Law regarding the age requirement for regional head nomination, in keeping with the Supreme Court's decision.
Article 7 paragraph (2) letter e agreed that the minimum age must be 30 years for gubernatorial candidates and deputy gubernatorial candidates, and 25 years for district head candidates as well as mayoral candidates and deputy mayoral candidates, calculated from the date of inauguration of the elected pair.
Second, the amendment to Article 40 by accommodating part of the Constitutional Court's decision by changing the provisions of the regional election nomination threshold and applying it only to non-parliamentary parties or those without seats in the Regional Representative Council (DPRD).
Parties that have seats in the DPRD will still need to meet the old requirement, namely a minimum of 20 percent of DPRD seats or 25 percent of valid votes.
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Translator: Melalusa Susthira K, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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