Puskapol UI Advocates for a Mixed Electoral System

Independent Report – The Center for Political Studies at the University of Indonesia (Puskapol UI) has urged the adoption of a mixed electoral system. Puskapol UI believes that the current open-list proportional representation system has several weaknesses. Delia Wildianti, a researcher at Puskapol UI, emphasized that this system does not effectively support party institutionalization and gender equality.

Puskapol UI Highlights the Need for Electoral Reform

She expressed this opinion during a public hearing with Commission II of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) in Senayan, Jakarta, on Wednesday, March 5, 2024.

According to Delia, the open-list proportional system weakens party institutionalization because legislative candidates compete individually rather than collectively. As a result, political parties merely serve as a platform to participate in elections without playing a significant role in the selection process.

Another issue with the open-list proportional system is its failure to support gender equality. Women have a lower chance of being elected under this system.

She explained that the open-list proportional system does not adequately promote gender equality. In this system, candidates compete freely, but since women entered politics later than men, they face an uneven starting point. Consequently, their chances of securing legislative positions remain low.

Several studies conducted in different countries indicate that open-list proportional representation is not effective in ensuring women’s political representation. Based on these findings, Puskapol UI advocates for a shift toward a mixed electoral system.

Their research suggests that Indonesia should consider transitioning from an open-list proportional system to a mixed electoral model. This approach could address the existing shortcomings and create a more balanced electoral process.

Puskapol UI Addresses the Lack of Gender Equality Support

In addition to proposing a mixed electoral system, Delia also suggested that female legislative candidates should be placed in the top-ranked position in at least 30 percent of electoral districts. This measure aims to increase the number of elected female candidates.

She argued that such a policy could accelerate gender equality in legislative representation. Studies by Puskapol UI indicate that nearly 70 percent of elected candidates hold the number one position on their party lists. Although the open-list proportional system allows voters to choose any candidate, including those ranked lower, the research found that more than 50 percent of successful candidates were ranked first.

Delia also pointed out that Indonesia currently applies a 30 percent quota for female candidates on party lists. However, the “zipper system,” which mandates alternating male and female candidates in lists, has not been fully implemented.

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At present, the system requires at least one female candidate among every three candidates. However, a stricter application of the zipper system, where every two candidates include one woman, would enhance gender representation.

Challenges of the Open-List Proportional System and the Need for Electoral Reform

Indonesia has long implemented an open-list proportional representation system, allowing multiple parties to secure seats in parliament. However, this system has led to political fragmentation, which weakens government stability. The presidential system often struggles due to coalition complexities and a lack of a solid majority.

Given the increasing complexity of Indonesian politics, discussions on adopting a mixed electoral system have gained traction. Experts believe that such a system could simplify the party landscape, strengthen governance, and ensure a more balanced distribution of legislative power.

A mixed electoral system combines elements of both proportional representation and majoritarian systems. Experts recommend this system to improve electoral quality and political representation in Indonesia.

Understanding the Mixed Electoral System

There is no single model for a mixed electoral system. The proportion between proportional representation and majoritarian elements can vary, such as 70-30, 60-40, or even 50-50, depending on the country’s political and social needs. This flexibility allows adjustments to fit Indonesia’s unique political landscape.

Experts are considering several mixed electoral system models, including the Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) and the Mixed Member Majoritarian (MMM) systems. MMP ensures overall proportional election results, with some seats allocated based on party votes and others based on individual votes in electoral districts. Meanwhile, MMM produces semi-proportional results, retaining some of the disproportionality of the majoritarian component.

Adopting a mixed electoral system could provide a more balanced representation while addressing the weaknesses of the current open-list proportional system. By implementing this change, Indonesia may improve political stability and create a fairer electoral process.

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