Presidential Elections Without a Threshold in Indonesia: Strengthening Citizens’ Political Rights After the 2025 Constitutional Court Decision
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37680/almanhaj.v8i1.8749Keywords:
Presidential Threshold; Political Rights; Constitutional Democracy; Constitutional Court; Judicial ReviewAbstract
The presidential threshold in Indonesia, requiring political parties or coalitions to secure at least 20% of parliamentary seats or 25% of valid votes to nominate presidential candidates, has long sparked debate over the constitution. Critics contend that this requirement operates as a structural barrier that limits citizens' political rights and consolidates oligarchic dominance. This study examines the abolition of the presidential threshold following the Constitutional Court's Decision No. 62/PUU-XXII/2024, which annulled Article 222 of the 2017 Election Law. Employing a normative juridical and comparative approach, the research analyzes constitutional principles, judicial reasoning, and electoral practices in selected democracies, including France and the United States. The analysis demonstrates that removing the presidential threshold broadens political participation, enhances inclusivity, and fosters fairer democratic competition by reducing the dominance of major parties. Although the absence of a threshold may increase the number of candidates and the likelihood of run-off elections, such consequences can be mitigated through appropriate institutional design. Normatively, this study concludes that abolishing the presidential threshold is constitutionally justified and necessary to fully realize citizens' political rights and democratic sovereignty in Indonesia.
References
Abi Suroso, D. S., Setiawan, B., Pradono, P., Iskandar, Z. S., & Hastari, M. A. (2022). Revisiting The Role Of International Climate Finance (ICF) Towards Achieving The Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) Target: A Case Study Of The Indonesian Energy Sector. Environmental Science & Policy, 131, 188–195.
Ambardi, K. (2018). Party Cartelization, Indonesian-Style: Presidential Power-Sharing And The Contingency Of Democratic Opposition. Journal Of East Asian Studies.
Asshiddiqie, J. (2010). Konstitusi Ekonomi. Penerbit Buku Kompas. Https://Books.Google.Com/Books?Hl=Id&Lr=&Id=Ymzkxr4urlyc&Oi=Fnd&Pg=PR14&Dq=Asshiddiqie,+J.+(2010).+Konstitusi+Ekonomi.+Penerbit+Buku+Kompas.&Ots=Z_Dkit_Cg1&Sig=8npn0mznlhjofunzrg96np6dlqk
Asshiddiqie, J. (2020). Konstitusi Dan Demokrasi Indonesia. Rajawali Pers.
Blais, A. (2006). What Affects Voter Turnout? Annual Review Of Political Science, 9, 111–125. Https://Doi.Org/10.1146/Annurev.Polisci.9.070204.105121
Boix, C. (1999). Setting The Rules Of The Game: The Choice Of Electoral Systems In Advanced Democracies. American Political Science Review, 93(3), 609–624. Https://Doi.Org/10.2307/2585577
Carey, J. M., & Hix, S. (2011a). The Electoral Sweet Spot: Low-Magnitude Proportional Electoral Systems. World Politics, 63(2), 383–420. Https://Doi.Org/10.1017/S004388711100005X
Carey, J. M., & Hix, S. (2011b). The Electoral Sweet Spot: Low‐Magnitude Proportional Electoral Systems. American Journal Of Political Science, 55(2), 383–397. Https://Doi.Org/10.1111/J.1540-5907.2010.00495.X
Carey, J. M., & Shugart, M. S. (1992). Presidents And Assemblies: Constitutional Design And Electoral Dynamics. Cambridge University Press.
Colomer, J. M. (2005). It’s Parties That Choose Electoral Systems (Or, Duverger’s Laws Upside Down). Political Studies, 53(1), 1–21. Https://Doi.Org/10.1111/J.1467-9248.2005.00514.X
Dalton, R. J. (2008). Citizen Politics And Changing Political Participation. Comparative Political Studies, 41(1), 76–98. Https://Doi.Org/10.1177/0010414007307979
Decision No. 53/PUU-XV/2017 (With Constitutional Court Of Indonesia). (2017). Constitutional Court.
Decision No. 62/PUU-XXII/2024 (With Constitutional Court Of Indonesia). (2025). Constitutional Court.
Electing Presidents In Presidential And Semi-Presidential Democracies. (2019). Https://Doi.Org/10.31752/Idea.2019.15
Fish, M. S. (2006). Stronger Legislatures, Stronger Democracies. Journal Of Democracy, 17(1), 5–20. Https://Doi.Org/Doi.Org/10.1353/Jod.2006.0000
Golder, M. (2006). The Logic Of Pre-Electoral Coalition Formation. Ohio State University / Journal Version.
Hicken, A. (2009). Building Party Systems In Developing Democracies. Cambridge / Journal Article Versions.
Horowitz, A. J. (1991). A Primer On Sediment-Trace Element Chemistry. US Geological Survey; Books And Open-File Reports Section [Distributor],. Https://Pubs.Usgs.Gov/Of/1991/0076/Report.Pdf
Horowitz, D. L. (1991). A Democratic South Africa? Constitutional Engineering In A Divided Society. Journal Of Democ2racy, 2(4), 13–22. Https://Doi.Org/10.1353/Jod.1991.0054
Katz, R. S., & Mair, P. (1995). Changing Models Of Party Organization And Party Democracy: The Emergence Of The Cartel Party. Party Politics, 1(1), 5–28. Https://Doi.Org/10.1177/1354068895001001001
Kitschelt, H. (2000). Linkages Between Citizens And Politicians In Democratic Polities. Comparative Political Studies, 33(6–7), 845–879. Https://Doi.Org/10.1177/001041400003300607
Laakso, M., & Taagepera, R. (1979). "Effective” Number Of Parties: A Measure With Application To West Europe. Comparative Political Studies, 12(1), 3–27. Https://Doi.Org/10.1177/001041407901200101
Law No. 7 Of 2017 On General Elections. (2017).
Law No. 23 Of 2003 On The Election Of The President And Vice President. (2003).
Law No. 42 Of 2008 On The Election Of The President And Vice President. (2008).
Les Parrainages À L’élection Présidentielle. (N.D.). Https://Www.Conseil-Constitutionnel.Fr
Lijphart, A. (1990). The Political Consequences Of Electoral Laws,1945–85. American Political Science Review, 84(2), 481–496. Https://Doi.Org/10.2307/1963527
Lijphart, A. (2012). Patterns Of Democracy: Government Forms And Performance In Thirty-Six Countries (2nd Ed.). Yale University Press.
Lindberg, S. I. (2006). The Surprising Significance Of African Elections. Journal Of Democracy, 17(1), 139–151. Https://Doi.Org/10.1353/Jod.2006.0008
Mahfud, M. D. (2019). Politik Hukum Di Indonesia. Rajawali Pers.
Mahfud Mahfud, C. (2019). The Genealogy Of Social History Of Islamic Education Politics In Indonesia. Al-Tadzkiyyah: Jurnal Pendidikan Islam, 10(1), 1–12.
Mainwaring, S. (1993). Presidentialism, Multipartism, And Democracy: The Difficult Combination. Comparative Political Studies, 26(2), 198–228. Https://Doi.Org/10.1177/0010414093026002003
March, J. G., & Olsen, J. P. (1984). The New Institutionalism: Organizational Factors In Political Life. American Political Science Review, 78(3), 734–749. Https://Doi.Org/10.2307/1961840
Marzuki, M. (2017). Penelitian Hukum: Edisi Revisi. Prenada Media. Https://Books.Google.Com/Books?Hl=Id&Lr=&Id=Ckzadwaaqbaj&Oi=Fnd&Pg=PA1&Dq=Marzuki,+2017&Ots=Mnmvmq99qh&Sig=X1ly1wefbqqgojclu6eflllv-0Y
Mawaddah, F. H., & Haris, A. (2022). Implementasi Layanan Peradilan Bagi Penyandang Disabilitas Perspektif Teori Efektivitas Hukum Soerjono Soekanto. Sakina: Journal Of Family Studies, 6(2). Http://Repository.Uin-Malang.Ac.Id/12699/
Mccoy, J., Rahman, T., & Somer, M. (2018). Polarization And The Global Crisis Of Democracy. American Behavioral Scientist, 62(1), 16–42. Https://Doi.Org/10.1177/0002764218759576
Negara, P. K. U.-U. D. (2001). Republik Indonesia Tahun 1945. Jakarta, Indonesia: Www. Mpr. Go. Id. Https://Www.Academia.Edu/Download/57455194/UUD_45.Pdf
Norris, P. (2014). Why Elections Fail. Cambridge University Press. Https://Doi.Org/10.1017/CBO9781139969921
Norris, P., Frank, R. W., & I Coma, F. M. (2014). Measuring Electoral Integrity Around The World: A New Dataset. PS: Political Science & Politics, 47(4), 789–798.
O’Donnell, G. (1994). Delegative Democracy. Journal Of Democracy, 5(1), 55–69. Https://Doi.Org/10.1353/Jod.1994.0010
Przeworski, A., Alvarez, M., Cheibub, J. A., & Limongi, F. (N.D.). Democracy And Development: Political Institutions And Well-Being. Journal Article Versions.
Reynolds, A., Reilly, B., & Ellis, A. (2005). Electoral System Design: The New International IDEA Handbook. Journal-Summarized Articles.
Riker, W. H. (1982). The Two-Party System And Duverger’s Law: An Essay On The History Of Political Science. American Political Science Review, 76(4), 753–766. Https://Doi.Org/10.2307/1962968
Samuels, D. J., & Shugart, M. S. (2010a). Presidents, Parties, And Prime Ministers: How The Separation Of Powers Affects Party Organization And Behavior. Cambridge University Press. Https://Books.Google.Com/Books?Hl=Id&Lr=&Id=Ptqgsqzc080c&Oi=Fnd&Pg=PR7&Dq=Samuels+%26+Shugart,+2010&Ots=L9o9fwqofc&Sig=CH2TW9lrIirvKQ2BNkDGERnTXqs
Samuels, D. J., & Shugart, M. S. (2010b). Presidents, Parties, And Prime Ministers: How The Separation Of Powers Affects Party Organization And Behavior. Cambridge University Press. Https://Doi.Org/10.1017/CBO9780511756097
Shugart, M. S., & Carey, J. M. (1992). Presidents And Assemblies: Constitutional Design And Electoral Dynamics. Cambridge University Press. Https://Books.Google.Com/Books?Hl=Id&Lr=&Id=Zmufhq75b64c&Oi=Fnd&Pg=PP12&Dq=Carey+%26+Shugart,+1992&Ots=Nramv-62Dj&Sig=L19v9ggc6es2xdnrmt3u4mtkeug
Stepan, A., & Skach, C. (1993). Constitutional Frameworks And Democratic Consolidation: Parliamentarism Versus Presidentialism. World Politics, 46(1), 1–22. Https://Doi.Org/10.2307/2950713
Sukmawan, D. I., & Pratama, S. (2023). Critical Review Of The Constitutional Court’s Decision On The Presidential Threshold (Tinjauan Kritis Mengenai Putusan Mahkamah Konstitusi Tentang Ambang Batas Pencalonan Presiden). Jurnal Konstitusi, 20(4). Https://Doi.Org/10.31078/Jk2041
Suroso, R., Lestari, A., & Putra, H. (2022). The Impact Of Presidential Thresholds On Political Rights In Simultaneous Elections. Jurnal Pembangunan Hukum Indonesia, 4(3). Https://Doi.Org/10.14710/Jphi.V4i3.12845
Taagepera, R. (N.D.). Predicting Party Sizes: The Logic Of Seat Allocation In PR Systems. Journal Article Versions.
Taagepera, R. (2002). Nationwide Threshold Of Representation. Electoral Studies, 21(3), 383–401. Https://Doi.Org/10.1016/S0261-3794(01)00030-6
The 1945 Constitution Of The Republic Of Indonesia. (1945).
Tsebelis, G. (1995). Decision Making In Political Systems: Veto Players In Presidentialism, Parliamentarism, Multicameralism And Multipartyism. British Journal Of Political Science, 25(3), 289–325. Https://Doi.Org/10.1017/S0007123400007225
Valenzuela, A. (2004). Latin American Presidencies Interrupted. Journal Of Democracy, 15(4), 5–19. Https://Doi.Org/10.1353/Jod.2004.0061
Waldner, D., & Lust, E. (2018). Unwelcome Change: Coming To Terms With Democratic Backsliding. Annual Review Of Political Science, 21, 93–113. Https://Doi.Org/10.1146/Annurev-Polisci-050517-114628
Yusran, M., Santoso, B., & Putri, N. (2018). Problematika Presidential Threshold: Putusan MK Dan Pengalaman Negara Lain. Jurnal Konstitusi, 15(3), 500–525. Https://Doi.Org/10.31078/Jk1537
Yusran, R. (2018). The ASEAN Convention Against Trafficking In Persons: A Preliminary Assessment. Asian Journal Of International Law, 8(1), 258–292.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Imam Ropii, Agus Pramono, Carolina Kuntardjo, Ariska Cesar Divian Candra Kusuma
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Copyright:
- Author retains the copyright and grants the journal the right of first publication of the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Author is able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book) with the acknowledgment of its initial publication in this journal.
- Author is permitted and encouraged to post his/her work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of the published work (See The Effect of Open Access).
License:
-
Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
-
No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits.
You are free to:
- Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format
- Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
