January 19, 2026 | 04:51 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The administration of Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto responded to the proposal to hold future elections using an electronic voting (e-voting) system. The Secretary of State Minister Prasetyo Hadi stated that this concept must be thoroughly examined before being implemented.
"According to our assessment, any discussion regarding this should involve the government, the parliament, and academic colleagues who have expertise in the electoral system," he said during a meeting at the DPR/MPR complex in Jakarta on Monday, January 19, 2026.
However, he emphasized that the discussion of the election implementation mechanism must reflect the most suitable system for Indonesia. According to him, each country has a different system for holding general elections.
"It is not always the case that the electoral system of another country is better or suitable for us," he stated.
He argued that the electoral system mechanism must prioritize the interests of the nation, state, and society. According to him, the election implementation system must align with the nation's culture and character.
"So, the goal is not necessarily to claim that the system we propose is inherently correct," said the Gerindra Party politician.
Furthermore, Prasetyo mentioned that e-voting in elections has often been the subject of discussion in the country's electoral system. This includes discussions about electronic voting procedures for the public and the use of technology for post-election processes, such as electronic vote counting.
"Every time the electoral system is discussed, the use of technology is always a crucial topic," he said.
On a separate occasion, Deputy House Speaker Sufmi Dasco Ahmad believed that the use of technology has somewhat impacted cost savings in conducting elections, including regional elections.
However, he stated that a comprehensive study and assessment must be conducted before the e-voting system is implemented in these elections. Moreover, he mentioned that there are still opportunities for fraud in the implementation of e-voting in regional elections.
"Considering that in other countries, some political parties are creative, and thus the results of e-voting can change within a few hours at times," he said at the DPR/MPR complex in Jakarta on Monday, January 19, 2026.
He stated that the implementation of regional e-voting is basically a good idea. He pointed out that the parliament does not rule out discussing this proposal.
"But the security aspect of e-voting technology needs to be thoroughly studied. Everything will be thoroughly examined," Dasco stated.
Meanwhile, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle proposed using an electronic voting system for this election. This became a decisive point of the national working meeting of the party from January 9 to 12, 2026.
The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle argued that the e-voting system could encourage low-cost regional elections. Additionally, the party expressed opposition to the idea of indirect regional elections.
Read: Prabowo Coalition's Push for Indirect Regional Elections
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Gov't to Refine E-Voting System Ahead of Possible 2029 Election Use, Says Minister
19 Mei 2025
The idea of implementing electronic voting has also received support from the National Commission on Human Rights. Here's why
Komnas HAM Urges Govt to Implement E-Voting in Indonesia
16 Januari 2025
The Constitutional Court stated that e-voting does not violate the Constitution so long as it meets the designated criteria.
KPU Yet to Apply E-Voting in 2020 Regional Head Election
9 Juli 2019
KPU head Arief Budiman said that electronic voting or e-voting system would not be used yet in the simultaneous regional head elections in 2020.
E-voting Needs Public Trust, says Expert
12 Mei 2019
E-voting could be an alternative for the Indonesian elections in the future but required public trust, said an expert.
Gov't and DPR Indonesia Elections Evaluation Held in Early 2020
30 April 2019
The government together with the House of Representatives (DPR) plans to evaluate the application of 2019 Indonesia elections.
House Speaker Opts for E-voting over Conventional Election
26 April 2019
House of Representatives (DPR) speaker Bambang Soesatyo suggested the upcoming Indonesia elections adopt the e-voting method.
