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The Constitutional Court held a trial on Dispute over the Election in Kerinci Regent, Jambi, with the agenda of Hearing the Response from the Petitionee, the information from Witnesses and the legalizing evidences, Tuesday (30/12), in the Court’s Plenary Room.

Case No. 61/PHPU.D-VI/2008 was filed by Candidate Pair No. 1 Ir. H. Ami Taher and Dianda Putra, S.STP, Msi who claimed against the Decision Letter issued by the Petitionee, Kerinci Election Commission, No. 109 dated December 15, 2008 about the Announcement of Recapitulation Result of the Regent and Vice Regent Second Round Election in Kerinci 2008 which gave victory to Candidate Pair No. 6, H. Murasman, S.Pd. MM, and Drs. H. MOHD. Rahman.

In the Petition, the Petitioner explained the mistake in the recapitulation result of all election regions; Gunung Raya District, Batang Merangin District, Keliling Danau District, Danau Kerinci District, Sitinjau Laut District, Tanah Kampung District, Kumun Debai District, Sungai Penuh District, Pesisir Bukit District, Hamparan Rawang District, Air Hangat Timur District, Depati Tujuh District, Air Hangat District, Siulak District, Gunung Kerinci District, Kayu Aro District, Gunung Tujuh District.

In the trial, the Petitioner presented 14 witnesses from each District. From the witnesses’ information, it was revealed that there were underage voters, voters who cast double votes, voters unwilling to be marked with tint after casting a vote. “Voter named Kiki was a student of third grade in Junior High School (nine-grade student) and aged 14, but he elected in Vote Center 2,” explained Pirmanuddin, a witness in Vote Center 3 Sungai Abu of Air Hangat Timur District.

Besides the violation in the recapitulation, there were intimidations as well as a force to the voters in many places. “The situation was dreadful because Sungai Penuh District was full with a gang of the related party’s supporters (Winners in the Election Commission version-ed.) The car we were in was banged as they said dirty and vulgar words toward us,” confessed a witness Suwito Prasojo. 

Information from Petitionee s Witness
After hearing to the information from the Petitioner s witnesses, the Petitionee denied all claims on the violation and misconducts told by the witness of the opposite side on the trial held on Wednesday (31/12) by presenting 28 witnesses.

From the information of the witnesses presented, Kerinci Election had been going on safely, orderly and smoothly. “As far as I noticed, the election went smoothly, there were no mistakes; in fact, the Petitioner s witness also signed the transcript of the proceeding,” explained Nornis a witness Vote Center 2 Koto Kapeh.

The claim on the intimidation also money politics was also answered by the information from Aris Tuna, a witness in Vote Center 1 in Siulak Tenang Village. “There was no force, money politics, and intimidation. Witnesses of each party did not make any objections,” he said.

At the closure of the trial, Head of Justice Panel Board, Ahmad Sodiki, pointed out, “There are enough proofs and information from each party. It is then our duty as justices to consider them.”

The trial for decision reading for Kerinci Election Dispute would be held on Wednesday (14/01/09). (Andhini Sayu Fauzia)

Photo: Doc. MK PR/Wiwik BW

Translated by Yogi Djatnika / MK

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