Indonesian court ruling paves way for wider slate of presidential hopefuls in 2029

Constitutional Court scrubs minimum-vote threshold before political parties can make nominations

- Linda Yulisman

A recent ruling by Indonesia's Constitutional Court that a law setting a minimum-vote threshold before political parties could nominate a presidential candidate was "null and void" has been hailed by civil society groups and smaller political parties, raising hopes for more nominees for the country's top job in the next polls, come 2029.

That law was challenged by four university students in court, saying it restricted the rights of voters and smaller parties.

The court on Jan 2 ruled in their favour, declaring it to be not legally binding.

"The court understands that the threshold benefits large political parties, or at least contestants with seats in the House of Representatives," said Justice Saldi Isra, who delivered the ruling. He also said that in previous elections, the big political parties had dominated the process to nominate candidates, "which limited the rights of voters to have alternative candidates".

The ruling will give space for smaller parties to prepare for their own presidential nominees, said Mr Hadar Nafis Gumay, executive director of election watchdog Network for Democracy and Electoral Integrity.