Jakarta – Constitutional law expert Yusril Ihza Mahendra has said he is ready to file a judicial review request with the Constitutional Court to challenge the newly-passed election bill.

"As soon as the President [Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo] signs the election law, I will file a judicial review request," he said in an a statement on Friday.

On Thursday, the House of Representatives passed a long overdue election bill, which requires a presidential candidate to get support from a party or coalition of parties with at least 20 percent of the seats in the legislature or 25 percent of the popular vote based on the outcome of the 2014 legislative elections.

Yusril said the presidential threshold contradicted the 1945 Constitution and, therefore, should not exist. "The submission of a recommendation for president and vice president candidates from political parties should be carried out before the legislative election. Whether or not the election is simultaneous, the presidential threshold should not exist," he said.

Yusril hoped the Constitutional Court would be neutral in examining his request for a review on the election bill. "I hope no one interferes with the court," he said, adding he was ready to file the judicial review alone should no one else want to fight against the law. (ecn/ebf)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2017/07/21/election-law-should-not-exist-expert.html