Ratification of Indonesian election law changes delayed as protesters try to storm parliament
The deputy speaker of Parliament says Indonesian lawmakers have canceled plans to ratify revisions to the election laws after thousands of protesters rallied in front of the parliament building
JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — The ratification of changes to Indonesia's election laws was halted Thursday as thousands of protesters occupied roads in front of parliament and some tried to storm the building.
The changes, if implemented, would deepen the political influence of outgoing President Joko Widodo and have been criticized as potentially weakening Indonesia's young democracy.
Parliament met in an emergency session Thursday to overturn one decision made by Indonesia's Constitutional Court on election procedures, while amending another. But the legislature canceled the ratification after failing to achieve a quorum amid the protests outside.
“It was stated that the revision of the regional election law cannot be implemented. This means that today the revision of the regional election law will not be implemented,” Deputy Speaker Sufmi Dasco Ahmad told reporters in Jakarta.
