Protests Continue In Indonesia After MPs Scrap Election Law Bill

 JAKARTA, Aug 23 (Bernama-dpa) -- Anger at outgoing President Joko Widodo and his supporters simmered in Indonesia on Friday, even after lawmakers cancelled a draft election Bill that could have strengthened the president’s influence after he leaves office in October, the German news agency (dpa) reported.

Lawmakers announced late Thursday that they decided to shelve the measure after thousands hit the streets to protest the draft law they said would undermine democratic principles and competitive elections.

Protests continued on Friday, with people rallying at the national elections commission in Jakarta. 

The controversial Bill was introduced a day after the Constitutional Court made a landmark decision on Wednesday.

The top court relaxed the rules for regional elections, allowing smaller parties and more candidates greater opportunities to compete.

Previously, political parties or coalitions needed to hold at least 20 per cent of the seats in the provincial council or have received 25 per cent of the popular vote to put forward a candidate, benefiting parties aligned with Joko and his successor, former general Prabowo Subianto.

But on Thursday lawmakers in Parliament, which is dominated by supporters of Joko, began work on a Bill to reverse parts of the court's decision.

That move was met with condemnation and sparked nationwide protests.

A senior member of Parliament said late Thursday that the Bill was scrapped.

"As the regional election Bill has not yet become law, the Constitutional Court’s ruling will apply," Deputy Parliamentary Speaker Sufmi Dasco Ahmad told reporters.

-- BERNAMA-dpa