Single Candidate Referendum

The Constitutional Court last Tuesday granted part of the judicial review request regarding single candidacies in Law No. 8/2015 on gubernatorial, regent and mayoral elections. The verdict gave the green light to regions with single-pair candidates to hold regional head elections.

Judge Suhartoyo rules an election law requiring more than a single pair of contestants has the potential to threaten the public's right to vote. "The individual right to vote and be voted should not be held hostage to regulations," he said. However, the court turned down the proposal presented by Effendi Gazali and Yayan Sakti Suyandaru for voters to check a blank box in lieu of a second set of candidates.