1982 Indonesian legislative election explained

Election Name:1982 Indonesian legislative election
Country:Indonesia
Type:parliamentary
Previous Election:1977 Indonesian legislative election
Previous Year:1977
Election Date:4 May 1982
Next Election:1987 Indonesian legislative election
Next Year:1987
Seats For Election:360 of 460 seats in the House of Representatives
Majority Seats:183
Image1:Amir Murtono, Memperkenalkan Anggota-Anggota DPR Hasil Pemilu 1982, p148 (3x4).jpg
Leader1:Amir Murtono
Party1:Golkar
Last Election1:62.11%, 232 seats
Seats1:242
Seat Change1: 10
Popular Vote1:48,334,724
Percentage1:64.34%
Swing1: 2.23pp
Leader2:Jailani Naro
Party2:United Development Party
Last Election2:29.29%, 99 seats
Seats2:94
Seat Change2: 5
Popular Vote2:20,871,880
Percentage2:27.78%
Swing2: 1.51pp
Image3:Soenawar Soekawati - Menneg Kesra - Anggota Kabinet Pembangunan II.jpg
Leader3:Sunawar Sukowati
Party3:Indonesian Democratic Party
Last Election3:8.60%, 29 seats
Seats3:24
Seat Change3: 5
Popular Vote3:5,919,702
Percentage3:7.88%
Swing3: 0.72pp
Map Alt:Map of the election results
Speaker
Before Election:Daryatmo
Before Party:Golkar
After Election:Amir Machmud
After Party:Golkar

Legislative elections were held in Indonesia on 4 May 1982. They were the fourth legislative elections since independence and the third under the New Order regime There were three participants; the two political parties, the United Development Party (PPP), the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) and the "functional group" Golkar. As with all elections during the New Order regime, the government-backed Golkar organization won an absolute majority.

Background

Following the 1978 reelection of President Suharto by the People's Consultative Assembly a year after the victory of the government political vehicle Golkar in the legislative election, the government started to make preparations for the next five-yearly vote by submitting a revised election law to the legislature. Among the changes discussed were the symbols used by the parties. The government's proposed law included a provision banning party symbols that "might generate conflict affecting the unity and integrity of the nation". At the time, the Islamic United Development Party symbol was the Kaaba, while the Indonesian Democratic Party used a symbol similar to the National emblem of Indonesia. Both parties wanted to retain their symbols. Both parties also wanted a reduction in the number of seats awarded by government nominees to be reduced from 100 to 75. Ultimately the bill was passed, with no changes to party logos or the number of appointed legislative members. However, an additional 4 seats, on top of the 360 elected seats, were allocated to the new province of East Timor following its annexation, and these were take from the non-military appointed seats.

Campaign

The official election campaign lasted from 15 March to 27 April, followed by a "quiet week" before polling day on 4 May. As in 1977, the government used a variety of tactics to ensure a victory for Golkar. As well as shortening the campaign period by 15 days, the government regulation on the election required all contestants to submit campaign plans a week in advance, allowed regional governments to ban campaign activities seen as potentially disrupting public order and gave the government the power to reject electoral candidates, which it did to the detriment of the two parties. The government also pressured civil servants not only to vote Golkar, but also to persuade family members and friends to do so, while the army provided support for Golkar in the form of its campaign to enter villages to ensure people in rural areas gave their support.

There were a number of violent incidents during the campaign, and two news publications, including the weekly news magazine Tempo were banned for reporting on them. In the most serious incident, on March 18, clashes between PPP and Golkar supporters at a Golkar rally on Jakarta's Lapangan Banteng led to rioting and arson. The Golkar stage was set alight and 318 people were arrested. There was also campaign violence in Yogyakarta and Solo.

Results

Once again Golkar won an absolute majority, with over 64% of the vote, beating its performance in both previous elections, while both political parties saw their vote fall. Golkar won a majority of votes in all provinces except Aceh, and including the four seats in won in East Timor, its directly elected seat total increased by 14 when the results were announced on June 14. The two parties each lost five seats.

Aftermath

On 1 October the elected members took their oaths and the new People's Representative Council was inaugurated. The following year, the People's Consultative Assembly, comprising the elected legislature and government-appointed members, elected Suharto for a fourth presidential term.

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