CSIS researcher at the Department of Politics and Social Change, Noory Okthariza, said it was difficult for him not to see that the court ruling is part of the move by groups who wanted to delay the elections.

"These groups can be tightly organized and can be loosely organized. But their goal is the same, which is to delay the 2024 General Elections whether for 1 or 2 years," he told a press briefing in Jakarta on March 3, 2023.

Later in the day, the Presidential Palace issued a statement that it remained committed to support the elections, which is slated on February 14, 2024. The Palace also said it would continue to assist the KPU in its planning for the democratic process.

"Please don't be provoked by information or movements aimed at muddying the water. Trust the KPU to make the best move," Jaleswari Pramodhawardani, a senior official at the Executive Office of the President, said in the statement.

The court ruled in favor of the Prosperous Justice People's (Prima) Party on March 2, 2023, and ordered the KPU to delay the elections for 2 years, 4 months and 7 days. The party filed the lawsuit on December 8, 2022. The verdict came a day after President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s supporters raised concern over the Constitutional Court (MK)'s possible ruling on the elections voting system that might pave a way for a proposal to delay the polls.

Political bargain

Okthariza explained that there were many things that have been orchestrated by these groups, but they started to use the district court's ruling to launch their move. However, long before the court issued the ruling, people have seen that there were many mobilizations and orchestrations that could propagate the issue with the goal to delay the elections.

He elaborated that the groups would not only use issues to postpone the elections. He said that the groups might also want to extend the presidential term for 3 periods as they requested an amendment to the Constitution and the re-implementation of the State Policy Guidelines (GBHN), through the amendment of the Constitution, and the mobilization of thousands of village heads to Jakarta to demand three-term of service, or 27 years in total.

"The latest [issue] was a demand that the governor's position should be abolished from the state's structure, or governors are directly appointed by Provincial Legislative Council (DPRD). And today, the issue is the Central Jakarta District Court's ruling to delay the election," he said.

Read also: Jokowi supporters push for third term in office

Okthariza said the discourse to postpone the elections and the extension of Jokowi's tenure have been mobilized by a relatively organized group that should be seriously considered.

"I cannot reveal who they are, but actually it is relatively easy to track their social media. The issue can be used as a commodity ahead of the political year. Those who propagate the issues use them as commodities for a political bargain. If an issue was stopped, they would raise a new issue and create a new dynamic. The dynamic will be used as a bargain by those who propagate the issues," he added.

Independent from president

Okhtoriza said that in the past, Jokowi has voiced his disapproval of the postponement of the election and the extension of his tenure. In reality, despite the president's rejection, the movement has continued to rise. He said that the groups were independent of the power of the president.

"Such issues will recur ahead of the elections. They may have different forms but they have the same goal," he added.

Meanwhile, Coordinating Legal, Political and Security Affairs Minister Mahfud MD said on his Twitter account that the court's verdict regarding the postponement of the elections to 2025 must be opposed, because it is not in accordance with its authority.

"This is outside the jurisdiction. It is the same as the Military Court deciding divorce cases. Election law is not civil law. The verdict is contrary to the 1945 Constitution and the law, that the elections must be held every 5 years," he tweeted.

Read also: Jokowi’s aides slither to find a way to delay elections

A politician with the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) had said earlier that there were small elements or “dwarfs “in the Presidential Palace who wanted to maintain their power. He also said that several ministers – Coordinating Minister for Maritime and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Minister of Investment Bahlil Lahadalia and State Secretary Pratikno – supported the amendment of the Constitution and the delay of the elections.

Bad implications

Luluk Haridjanto, former chairman of the communication division at Jokowi supporting group Cakra 19, said the court's ruling to delay the elections would have bad impacts on Indonesian democracy.

He explained that the ruling is a form of disobedience against the Constitution as the Constitution limits the presidential term. The political elite can not act as they want for their vested interest to maintain their power. The ruling will also make Indonesian democracy unhealthy. It will also disrupt the regeneration of leadership in Indonesia. There will be occurring obstacles in Indonesia's politics, law and economy.

Haridjanto said the KPU could appeal the ruling because the election phases and schedule have been officially determined by the government.