Indonesia delays change to election law amid protests

By Anadolu staff

The Indonesian parliament on Thursday postponed the passing of a controversial amendment to regional election law amid countrywide protests.

Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, deputy speaker of parliament, said the session was postponed due to a lack of a quorum. He did not say when the parliament will reconvene.

The development came after protest rallies were held in the capital Jakarta and other parts of the country against the proposed changes in the election law that seeks to override two court rulings on candidate nomination requirements for the November regional elections.

The proposed changes pave way for outgoing President Joko Widodo's youngest son Kaesang Pangarep to run for gubernatorial in the elections.

The move has triggered a social media campaign, with tens of hundreds Indonesians sharing a blue picture saying “Emergency Warning” to register their protest.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid