Govt objects to proposed revision of local election law

Home Minister Tjahjo Kumolo stressed that the government was reluctant to revise the 2015 Local Elections Law and the 2015 Political Parties Law for fears that it could disrupt the upcoming simultaneous local elections.

"We have an objection not to the laws’ contents but to the schedule,” he said before holding a hearing with House of Representatives leaders and House Commission II on home affairs in Jakarta on Monday.

He said the revision could disrupt all phases in the lead-up to election day.

“If the deliberation and discussion of the two bills touches crucial issues, it could disturb the election’s phases and their schedules,” he said as quoted by kompas.com.

The House has proposed a revision to the two laws to allow splitting political parties such as the Golkar Party and United Development Party (PPP) to register their regional heads candidates with the General Elections Commission (KPU). The KPU previously turned down several recommendations from Commission II.

Simultaneous local elections are scheduled to be held in December 2015.