Constitutional Implications of Constitutional Court Decision No. 135/PUU-XXII/2024 on the Separation of National and Regional Elections

Abstract

The Constitutional Court Decision No. 135/PUU-XXII/2024 signifies a fundamental shift in the design of electoral simultaneity in Indonesia, mandating the separation of national and regional elections starting in 2029. This article analyzes the constitutional implications of this decision on the presidential system, regional governance, electoral administration efficiency, and the quality of democracy. Employing a normative juridical approach, the study finds that the ruling responds to the excessive workload of electoral organizers and the potential decline in electoral quality caused by the former "five-ballot" system. Nevertheless, the decision has also triggered debates concerning the judicial consistency of the Constitutional Court compared to its previous rulings and the implications for the legislature's open legal policy. The article concludes by emphasizing the urgency of comprehensive electoral law reform and the need for constitutional dialogue among state institutions to develop a more adaptive electoral system and safeguard the quality of future democratic processes.