KedaiKOPI Survey: Many Citizens Agree on Age Limits for Presidential and Vice-Presidential Candidates

The Indonesian Public Opinion Discussion and Study Group (KedaiKOPI) survey institute released its latest survey on public perception regarding the age limit for presidential (capres) and vice-presidential (cawapres) candidates. The survey results show that the majority of respondents believe that age restrictions for capres and cawapres are necessary.

“When (respondents) were asked whether minimum and maximum age limits for capres and cawapres are necessary, 61.8% of respondents answered yes (necessary), while 38.2% answered no,” said KedaiKOPI senior researcher Ashma Nur Afifah in a press release on Thursday (12/10/2023).

For those who answered that age limits are necessary, Ashma said, the average respondent suggested a minimum age of 38 to 39 years for capres and cawapres, and a maximum age of 58 years. Meanwhile, first-time voters believe that age does not determine experience.

"In national leadership elections, according to first-time voters, track record is the primary consideration," said Ashma.

However, Ashma continued, this does not negate the possibility that respondents who answered that age limits are unnecessary were influenced by their preferred presidential candidate. She said there is still a possibility that respondents' choices could change. "That might happen; it's a matter of stigma," she said.

Previously, the Constitutional Court had received a ruling regarding a judicial review of Law Number 7 of 2017 concerning General Elections. The judicial review, case number 29/PUU-XXI/2023, was filed by Dedek Prayudi, challenging Article 169(q) of the Election Law regarding the minimum age requirement of 40 years for capres and cawapres.

The final decision regarding the age limit for capres and cawapres was reached at a finalization meeting held on Tuesday (10/10/2023), where the decision was deliberated through a Judges' Deliberation Meeting (RPH). The results of the meeting will be read out at a hearing on Monday (16/10/2023) with the agenda of reading the verdict.

Constitutional Court spokesperson Fajar Laksono confirmed that the judges' deliberation meeting had reached a final decision on the lawsuit regarding the age of capres and cawapres.

“If a hearing for the announcement of the verdict has been scheduled, it means that the verdict is ready to be announced,” said Fajar, as reported by Katadata.co.id on Wednesday (11/10/2023).

The KedaiKOPI survey was conducted through face-to-face interviews with 1,213 respondents aged 17 to 65 years in 38 provinces. The survey, conducted from September 5-16, 2023, has a margin of error of 2.81% with 95% confidence.