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Hamdan Zoelva elected accompanying Chief Justice M. Akil Mochtar as Deputy Chief Justice of Constitutional Court 2013-2016 term through openly direct election held on Tuesday (20/8) at Plenary Room.

In the election that followed by two candidates, Hamdan was elected after outperform other candidate, Constitutional Justice Ahmad Fadlil Sumadi. The final result is obtained 3 votes for Ahmad Fadlil Sumadi and 5 votes for Hamdan Zoelva. 

"Based on that, Hamdan Zoelva elected as Deputy Chief Justice of Constitutional Court period 2013-2016 of two years and six months from the oath of office," said Akil read the results of the election in the presence of invitees.

At his speech before the elections, Chief Justice M. Akil Mochtar requested that Deputy Chief Justice chosen to work together with him, judges and officials of the constitutional Court supporting performance in order to carry out the duties and functions of the Constitutional Court as a judicial institution.

"Hopefully he can build synergy with all the constitutional judges and employees of the Court to establish the best possible performance that gives the public access to justice. An election that was witnessed by public and God, it will hopefully provide good performance for the Court," Akil said before the invitation to attend.

As the Deputy Chief Justice, Hamdan replacing the position vacated by Ahmad Sodiki on August 12, 2013 and as it enters the retirement period.

Doctoral Studies in Constitutional Law, Padjadjaran University, Bandung, was proposed by President. Before becoming a judge, Hamdan never wrestle in the world of law and justice as an advocate. In addition, he also teaches at several universities, one of them Ash-Syafiiyah Islamic University, Jakarta.

Under Article 5, paragraphs 1 and 2 of Regulation No. 03/PMK/2012 Court on Election Procedure Chair and Vice-Chairman of the Constitutional Court, the electoral process is carried out in a consensus agreement that Judge Plenary Meeting closed to the public. However, if consensus is not reached, decisions are taken by voting by a majority vote in the Plenary Meeting of the Open. Once elected, the Vice Chairman of the Constitutional Court will be served for 2.5 years in accordance with the provisions of Article 4 paragraph (3) of the.

Withdraw the right of selected

Previously, at the election of judges’ deliberation meeting vice-chairman MK, 6 other states constitutional judges are not willing to be elected as vice-chairman of the Constitutional Court. Six constitutional judges are Anwar Usman, Arief Hidayat, Harjono, Maria Farida Indrati, Muhammad Alim, and Patrialis Akbar.

One of the Constitutional Court, Harjono, when expressed hope before the election saying that the job of Deputy Chief Justice is very heavy. According to him, besides necessary managerial skills, a vice chairman of the Constitutional Court must be able to synergize the Chief Justice expectations, the expectations of the other constitutional judges, as well as expectations for the job himself.

"That’s the responsibility that must be carried a vice chairman of the Constitutional Court," said Harjono who also served as deputy chairman of the Constitutional Court in June-August 2008.

Hamdan plans to give the oath of office as Deputy Chief Justice of Constitutional Court on Thursday (22/8). (Lulu Anjarsari / mh)

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