MK Decides to Separate National and Local Elections, KPU Welcomes Positively

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — The General Election Commission or KPU welcomed the decision of the Constitutional Court to separate the implementation of national elections and local elections. This separation is considered to reduce political fatigue in society while also facilitating the management of election administration, which has previously been concentrated at a single time.

"When the simultaneous elections and national regional head elections are held in the same year, the public experiences political fatigue. And from the managerial side of the implementation of the stages, this requires extra resources," said KPU Commissioner Idham Holik when contacted by Kompas from Jakarta, Friday (6/27/2025).

Decision Number 135/PUU-XXII/2024, read by the judges of the Constitutional Court on Thursday (26/6/2025), states that the upcoming elections will be held in two stages. The national election to select members of the DPR, DPD, as well as the president and vice president will be conducted first. After a break of approximately 2 to 2.5 years, local elections will then take place to elect members of the DPRD, governors, as well as regents and mayors.

According to Idham, the Constitutional Court's decision is in line with the results of the internal evaluation of the General Election Commission (KPU). In a previous evaluation meeting regarding the implementation of elections and regional elections, the KPU suggested that there should be a sufficient time gap between the two types of elections.

"We welcome the Constitutional Court Decision Number 135 of 2024, because it is in line with the results of the KPU evaluation," he said.

In addition, Idham believes that this separation has a positive impact on the synchronization of local development agendas. He highlighted that local legislative elections held concurrently with regional elections represent a legal breakthrough that strengthens the position of regional elections as the starting point for development in the regions.

"The court emphasizes local development issues. This aligns the draft programs of legislative candidates in the regions with the vision, mission, and programs of the prospective regional head candidates. Thus, this synchronizes, particularly for political parties or coalitions of political parties that support the prospective candidates," he explained.

Idham also sees that the latest decision of the Constitutional Court does not contradict the Constitutional Court Decision Number 55/PUU-XVII/2019, which contains six alternative models for simultaneous elections. "The latest Constitutional Court decision falls within the range of alternatives available in the previous decision," he stated.

Nevertheless, he reminded that one of the implications of the Constitutional Court's decision is the need for uniformity in the selection of election organizers, which will impact the term of office and budget allocation. "A law is needed as a legal umbrella. Because the standardization of the selection of the KPU in the regions will have budgetary implications," said Idham.

As for the schedule of local election stages following the Constitutional Court's decision, the General Election Commission will still conduct a review. "Whether it will start after the inauguration of the members of the House of Representatives and Regional Representative Council or after the inauguration of the elected president and vice president in 2029," he said.

Separately, the Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Political Science at Sam Ratulangi University, Ferry Daud Liando, also reminded that the Constitutional Court's decision brings several subsequent consequences regarding the terms of office of regional heads and members of the Regional People's Representative Council, as well as the regulations on the nomination of regional heads by political parties.

First, according to Ferry, this Constitutional Court decision indirectly closes the space for discussions on the return of the regional head election mechanism by the Regional People's Representative Council. "If the regional elections and the elections for the Regional People's Representative Council are held on the same day, it will eliminate the opportunity for regional heads to be elected by the Regional People's Representative Council," he stated.

Secondly, the term of office for regional heads resulting from the 2024 elections could be extended until 2031 if there are no elections in 2029. If not extended, the position of regional head will be filled by an acting regional head until the elected head-deputy head is determined in the next election.

Thirdly, the term of office for members of the Regional People's Representative Council resulting from the election could potentially reach 7 years and 6 months if there are no local legislative elections in 2029. "If the term of the Regional People's Representative Council only lasts until 2029, then the council will be vacant, and it would be impossible to fill it with interim officials until 2031," he stated.

Ferry also assessed that this decision will automatically annul the Constitutional Court Decision Number 60/PUU-XXII/2024, which regulates the threshold requirements for regional head nominations based on election results. If the regional elections and the legislative elections are held on the same day, these requirements cannot be applied as there are no election results to serve as a basis.

"Thus, all political parties participating in the election could potentially propose pairs of candidates for regional heads. If the participating political parties consist of 10, then the number of candidate pairs could reach 10 pairs," he said.

Finally, Ferry reminded that if the regional elections are not held in 2029, it could affect the electoral position of the incumbent. "Their authority in mobilizing voters and civil servants, as well as in establishing policies for electoral gain, will be lost because they will no longer be in office when participating in the competition," he stated.