Constitutional Court held the third trial for Regional Election in Donggala Regency, Central Sulawesi Province, Thursday (13/11), at the Plenary Court Room. The trial was scheduled to examine the Petition revision, Hearing Information from Witnesses and Petitionees rebuttal. The third trial was attended by Principle Petitioners, Kasman Lassa and Ahmad Ariefianto.

Starting the trial, the Petitioners once again read out the main points of their claims in case No 28/PHPU.D/2008 which were their objection on the issuance of Election Commission Decree No. 278/168/KPU-KWK/2008 about the Announcement of Elected Head and Vice Head of Donggala Regency for term 2009-2014, also the ground for holding the election that included people in Sigi Regent as voters in Donggala Election conducted in October 16, 2008.

The Petitioners explained that Donggala Election was based on a letter from the Election Commission 2371/15/7/2008 dated 14 Juli 2008 which still covered Sigi Regency as part of Donggala Regency area. However, after the  Act No. 27/2008 about the area expansion of Sigi Regency on July 21,2008 (Act on Sigi Regency) was put into effect, practically there was no revision in the decree about holding the election.

According to the Petitioners, considering Article 2, 3, and 4 of Act on Sigi Regency, the area of Donggala Regency was reduced by Sigi area. “The people living in 15 districts in Sigi Regency do not have to elect the Regent and Vice in Donggala Regency,” revealed one of the Petitioners, Kasman Lassa.

Responding to that, the Petitionees through their Legal Counsel Arifin Musa, argued that the petition was bias. “Which one is the problem, the domain of Act on Sigi Regency or the Election itself?” inquired Arifin.

Head of Justice Panel Board, Maruarar Siahaan, requested each party to prove their arguments related to the legality of Sigi Regency in joining Donggala Election. “Because this is a trial on Election Result, so bring with you as many evidences as possible to support your argumentation,” explained Maruarar.

The trial, which was scheduled to hear information from witnesses of each party, was suspended until Tuesday (18/11) in order to hear witnesses and examine evidences. (Andhini Sayu Fauzia)

Photo: Doc. MK PR/Kencana SH
Translated by Yogi Djatnika / MK