Protesters Force Delay of Indonesian Election Law Changes

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — The ratification of amendments to Indonesia's election laws was abruptly halted on Thursday as thousands of protesters took to the streets, occupying roads outside the parliament and attempting to storm the building. The parliament convened in an emergency session to address a recent ruling by the Constitutional Court regarding election procedures but ultimately canceled the ratification due to a lack of quorum, as demonstrators rallied outside. The protests were sparked by the Constitutional Court's dismissal of a challenge to an age limit that bars individuals under 30 from running for regional governorships. This ruling directly impacts President Joko Widodo's youngest son, Kaesang Pangarep, who is 29 and was seeking to enter a regional contest in Central Java. Additionally, the court's decision made it easier for political parties to nominate candidates by reducing the requirement for local legislative support. Activists, students, workers, and various Indonesian celebrities joined the protests, expressing their concerns over the state of democracy in the country. In Yogyakarta, around 1,000 protesters gathered at key locations, demanding the rejection of the regional election bill, adherence to the Constitutional Court's rulings, and an end to political dynasties. As President Widodo, who began his second and final term in October 2019, prepares to leave office next year, the protests reflect growing public discontent with the political landscape and the implications of the recent legal changes.