Political Parties Mobilize their Maximum Power

KOMPAS/RONY ARIYANTO NUGROHO

The activities of the verification officers entered data on the submission of candidates for DPR members from all political parties in the General Election Commission Hall, Jakarta, on the last day of submission, Sunday (14/5/2023).

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — The struggle for seats for members of the House of Representatives (DPR) in the 2024 Legislative Election will be tight. The majority of political parties mobilize the maximum power by placing candidates for legislative members according to the maximum number and nominating key figures in political parties, such as the general chairman, secretary general, minister and deputy minister, to seize seats in the DPR.

The registration of legislative member candidates (Caleg) for the 2024 Legislative Election began on 1 May and ended on Sunday (14/5/2023) at 11:59 p.m. A total of seven of the 18 political parties participating in the national election registered their candidates to the General Elections Commission (KPU) on the last day.

As many as 17 of 18 political parties claimed to register 580 DPR candidates or the maximum number that could be registered in 84 electoral districts (dapil). As for the 2019 elections, nine out of 16 political parties filled the quota of 575 candidates in 80 electoral districts.

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In addition, from Kompas notes, in the 2024 election, there are at least six leaders of political parties and 16 party secretary generals, five ministers and two deputy ministers from political parties who become candidates.

A KPU member, Idham Holik, said the many political parties that are able to meet the maximum number of candidates, among others, show issues related to the electoral system that have an impact on candidates, and do not affect public interest in becoming legislative members.

Political parties are only allowed to improve documents for the nomination requirements or replace the list of temporary candidates.

In addition, the KPU is also intensively disseminating information about the stages for the nomination of legislative member candidates to all political parties. "The mechanism for the nomination of legislative member candidates for the 2024 election is also exactly the same as the nomination for the 2019 election, making it easier for the public to register," he said.

He added that after the closing of the registration on Sunday, the number of candidates registered could no longer be added. Political parties are only allowed to improve documents for the nomination requirements or replace the list of temporary candidates.

KOMPAS/RONY ARIYANTO NUGROHO

The delegation of Golkar Party leaders shook hands with KPU leaders and commissioners at the General Elections Commission (KPU) Office, Jakarta, after submitting the files for candidates for DPR members from their parties, Sunday (14/5/2023).

Tight contestation

A researcher at the Center for Political Research of the National Research and Innovation Agency, Wasisto Raharjo Jati, assessed that the legislative election 2024 contest will be very strict. The majority of political parties mobilized the full power to get votes of the voters. Candidates who become troops to get votes are registered to the maximum limit, even the general chairman, secretary general, the minister and deputy minister also take part to enable their parties to reach victory. "Political parties want to maximize all potential candidates to achieve the best results, because the simultaneous election model of five boxes makes electability uncertain," he said.

Political parties tend to maximize all power because they want to pursue greater chances of victory. This condition is also supported by the high level of public interest who want to become candidates so that political parties have no difficulty recruiting candidates.

Democratic Party chairperson Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono said 580 candidates who were registered, including the secretary general and figures, were expected to increase votes and DPR seats. Democrats want to get 15 percent of the votes and one seat in at least 84 electoral districts. He mentioned that the registered candidates came from various backgrounds and the right combinations.

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Secretary general of the Labor Party Ferri Nuzarli said among 580 candidates registered there were no national figures, businessmen and celebrities, but laborers, parking attendants and farmers. The Labor Party chooses candidates who have never been on the opposite side or harmed workers.

Meanwhile, general chairperson of Perindo Hary Tanoesoedibjo said Perindo is all out to follow the 2024 legislative election. The candidates who are backed up are inclusive, representing various backgrounds and even key political party figures ranging from the general chairman, secretary general, to members who are deputy ministers, are registered as candidates.

Secretary general of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) Hasto Kristiyanto said PDI-P chairperson Megawati Soekarnoputri assigned Law and Human Rights Minister Yasonna Laoly to strengthen the party. Other PDI-P members in the Indonesia Forward Cabinet are not assigned. Hasto did not run for the 2014, 2019, and 2024 elections because he wanted to concentrate on the party.

I always evaluate. If it is disturbed, if the work is really disturbed, yes, he can be replaced.

Golkar Party secretary general Lodewijk F Paulus said Golkar did not register all its members who became ministers to advance in the 2024 legislative election. They have to focus on completing government programs.

Responding to a number of ministers registered as candidates, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo did not mind because it was allowed in the nomination rules. However, the task as a minister should not be disturbed. "I always evaluate. If it is disturbed, if the work is really disturbed, yes, he can be replaced," said Jokowi. ( Z 0 2 )

This article was translated by Hyginus Hardoyo.