Jakarta. Habiburokhman, a lawmaker from the Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra), confirmed on Thursday that the House of Representatives will not challenge the recent Constitutional Court ruling on local elections, as hundreds of students stormed the House gates in a massive rally.

Massive protests erupted in major cities across the country following reports that political parties loyal to President Joko Widodo and his successor, Prabowo Subianto, were attempting to block the court's ruling in order to allow the president's son to meet the minimum age requirement to run in gubernatorial elections.

Democracy activists also accused the coalition of trying to block the candidacy of Anies Baswedan in the Jakarta gubernatorial race. By backing rival candidate Ridwan Kamil, the coalition left Anies with only one party capable of nominating him.

Earlier this week, the Constitutional Court lowered the threshold for parties to nominate gubernatorial candidates, giving Anies a renewed chance at reelection as Jakarta governor.

However, reports that lawmakers were drafting a new election law to override the court's decision sparked protests.

Habiburokhman attempted to calm the demonstrators gathered outside the House, assuring them that legislators had abandoned plans to amend the election law. But the situation grew tense, with protesters throwing bottles and other objects at him.

"We can confirm that there is no legislation being prepared regarding the election bill," Habiburokhman stated. However, as tensions escalated, he and his fellow lawmakers were forced to retreat to the House chamber under police protection.

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