Respondentsâ (Kaur Election Commission) Counsel, Novran Harisa giving information in the session for the dispute over Second Round Kaur election result , Monday (11/4) at the Plenary Courtroom
Jakarta, MKOnline - The session for the dispute case of Second Round Election in Kaur Regency was held by the Constitutional Court (The Court) on Monday (11/4) at the Plenary Courtroom. This session was scheduled for reading the answer from the Respondents. Response of the Related Party and Substantiation.
The session was attended by counsels of each party; also attending was Principal Petitioner, candidate for Vice Regent Anhar Basaruddin (candidate pair 11). Meanwhile from the Related Party also attending was the Principal, candidate for Regent Hermen Malik (candidate pair 5).
In their response, the Respondents (Kaur Election Commission) through their counsel Novran Harisa denied all Petitioners’ claims. According to him, the claim saying that his party was unfair was a baseless statement. “The description from the Petitioners are not clear and do not have a causality relationship,” he mentioned.
Novran also stated that the authority to follow up reports on the violations occurred during the election was not in the Respondents’ authority, but the authority of Regional Election Supervisory Committee (Panwaslukada). Beforehand, the Petitioners claimed that the Respondents was unfair with the evidence that the Respondents did not follow up the reports on violations existed during the election, especially related to money politics done by the Related Party.
Besides that, related to the signing of the Minutes of Proceeding of the Vote Recapitulation by one member of the Commission who had a defendant status in a corruption case, it was not true according to Novran. “Eksar Efendi was never involved in a corruption case,” he stated strongly. Even though so, he admitted that Eksar had a status of a defendant. “But in a fraud case,” he continued; and according to him, this was not against the rule because the penalty for fraud was under five years imprisonment.
Meanwhile, on the claim of involvement of civil servants and teachers also money politics done by the Related Party; according to Novran, they were all assumption and subjectivity of the Petitioners. “Until now, there is no facts concerning the involvement of civil servants who supported by one of candidate pairs,” he mentioned.
Meanwhile, the Related Party Counsel, Usin Abdi Saputra, denied committing money politics to influence voters. In fact, Usin pointed back at the Petitioners. According to him, it was the Petitioners who committed money politics during the election.
Ad Informandum
At the same session, the Panel Board of Justices chaired by the Chief Justice of The Court, Moh. Mahfud MD also heard witnesses testimonies from the Petitioners and the Respondents. In the testimonials, the Petitioners witness revealed about the money politic practices done by the Related Party in several area. Andi Suharman, one of the witnesses explained that he saw the distribution money to his neighbors himself. At least, according to him there were 20 people receiving the money. “Each person receives 100 thousands,” he revealed. This information was similar and supported by almost all Petitioners’ witnesses.
Speaking differently, Saparuddin was asked by Mahfud MD to testify in ad informandum way. “This information will be used by the justices to add information as consideration in deciding,” announced Mahfud. Saparudin explained that he was once appointed as a member of Polling Committee Group (KPPS) but then dismissed without his knowledge. “No Decrees,” he said. He also added that another member was dismissed in the same method.
However, when confirmed by the Justice Board, the Respondents argued that the appointing and dismissal of KPPS members was not their authority. So, their side did not know anything about the matter. “The appointing authority is at the Polling Committee (PPS),” stated the Respondents. Beforehand, the Petitioners argued that the dismissals was related to the unfairness of the Respondents. According to the Petitioners, The Respondents supported the Related Party.
The next session would be held on Tuesday (12/4) at 15.30 WIB. It was scheduled that the Panel Board of Justices would present the Regional Election Monitoring Committee in the session. (Dodi/mh/YDJ)
Monday, April 11, 2011 | 17:31 WIB 235