Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives (DPR RI), Dasco, has expressed strong support for the Constitutional Court’s (MK) recent ruling. This landmark decision imposes sanctions on political parties that fail to meet the mandatory quota for women’s representation in legislative elections, a move widely seen as a significant step towards greater gender equality in Indonesian politics.
“We fully support this requirement,” Dasco stated at the Parliament Complex in Jakarta on Tuesday, May 26, emphasizing the importance of this regulation for the nation’s democratic process.
According to Dasco, the requirement for 30 percent women’s representation in legislative elections is far from an insurmountable challenge for political parties. He firmly believes that Indonesia boasts a wealth of capable and principled women ready to contribute significantly to the political arena. This perspective underscores a broader optimism about the talent pool available to enhance parliamentary bodies at all levels.
“We believe there are still many women who possess the capacity and, in fact, numerous examples already demonstrate their reliability in fulfilling the women’s quota to serve as legislators, whether at the district/city, provincial, or national (DPR RI) levels,” he elaborated, highlighting the potential for diverse female leadership across the country.
As the Daily Chairman of the Gerindra Party, Dasco stressed the definitive and binding nature of the MK’s ruling, asserting that it reflects a clear commitment to empowering women in political discourse. This judicial decision serves to reinforce the existing 30 percent women’s representation requirement, a mandate that has been in place for several previous elections.
The DPR RI is committed to ensuring that this crucial 30 percent women’s representation quota for legislative elections will be formally incorporated into the draft revision of the Election Law. “The MK’s decision is final and binding. Therefore, I believe we will integrate it into the revision of the Election Law,” Dasco confirmed, signaling a legislative intent to solidify this constitutional principle.
Earlier, the Constitutional Court ruled that any political party failing to meet the minimum 30 percent quota for women’s representation in legislative elections would face disqualification from participating in the contest. This groundbreaking decision emerged from the Court’s finding that Article 245 of the existing Election Law, which lacked specific sanctions for non-compliance with the women’s quota, fundamentally contradicted core constitutional principles. These principles include the sovereignty of the people, the conduct of fair and honest elections, and the crucial aspect of legal certainty, all of which are essential for a robust democracy.
Summary
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives (DPR RI), Dasco, has expressed strong support for the Constitutional Court’s (MK) recent ruling. This decision mandates sanctions, including disqualification, for political parties that fail to meet the 30 percent women’s representation quota in legislative elections. The MK found that the existing Election Law lacked specific penalties, contradicting core constitutional principles vital for a robust democracy.
Dasco emphasized that achieving the 30 percent quota is not an insurmountable challenge, citing the many capable women available for political roles. As a result, the DPR RI is committed to ensuring this crucial women’s representation quota will be formally incorporated into the draft revision of the Election Law, solidifying this constitutional principle.