Election results dispute petition of Subulussalam City, Aceh filed to the Constitutional Court, Monday (9/7). Photo by Humas MK/Ifa.

The results of the 2018 Rote Ndao regent-vice regent election won by Candidate Pair Number 3 Paulina Haning Bullu and Stefanus M. Saek was challenged by Candidate Pairs Number 1, 2, and 4 Jonas Cornelius Lun-Adolfina Koa Mesakh, Nitanel Nunuhitu-Samuel Cony Pena, and Bima Theodrianus Fanggidae-Ernest S. Zadrak Pella.

The attorney of Candidate Pairs Number 1, 2, and 4 Yosef Robert Ndun when filing petitions No. 14, 22, and 24/PHP.BUP-XVI/2018 to the Constitutional Court on Monday noon (9/7/2018) revealed that violations that had occurred include 14-17 thousand fake letters of recommendation, opening of ballot boxes at the night on the voting day, which had allegedly affected the vote count.

Law firm and attorney Petrus Bala Pattyona had used office car during campaign and conducted intimidation and money politics in most of the areas in Rote Ndao Regency, Yosef alleged.

The vote count by the Rote Ndao Regency KPUD shows the votes for Candidate Pairs Number 1, 2, 3, and 4: 14,304 votes or 21.84%, 9,584 votes or 14.63%, 22,098 votes or 33.74%, 9,584 votes or 14.63%.

“According to our calculation, Candidate Pair Number 4 should have won with over 21,000 votes. However, the plenary meeting of the Rote Ndao Regency KPUD declared Candidate Pair Number 3 as winner,” Yosef explained.

Petition from Padang Panjang

Candidate Pair Number 2 Hendri Arnis and Eko Furqani challenged the 2018 Padang Panjang regent-vice regent election. Their attorney alleged violations had occurred, such as money politics, hindering voters, marking of certain candidates on the ballots.

Until Monday, July 9, 2018 the Court has received 21 petitions from Tegal City, Parepare City, Gorontalo City, Madiun City, Bangkalan Regency 1, Bangkalan Regency 2, North Bolaang Mongondouw Regency, Biak Numfor Regency, Cirebon City, Donggala Regency, Serang City, Bekasi City, Pinrang Regency, Banyuasin Regency, Subang Regency, North Tapanuli Regency, Padang Panjang Regency, Sinjai Regency, Subulussalam City, and Rote Ndao Regency. (Nano Tresna Arfana)

Translated by: Yuniar Widiastuti