The Constitutional Court held the 2018 Constitutional Court Working Meeting on Tuesday (27/11) in Uluwatu, Bali. Photo by Humas MK/Ganie.

The Constitutional Court held the 2018 Constitutional Court Working Meeting on “Realizing Justice in 2019 Simultaneous Elections.” Nine constitutional justices and structural and functional officials attended the event. It was opened by Chief Justice Anwar Usman on Tuesday (27/11/2018) in Uluwatu, Bali. Aside from evaluating the Court’s 2018 performance, the three-day event (27–29/11) was aimed at discussing preparations to anticipate the 2019 Simultaneous Elections.

Chief Justice Anwar hoped the Registrar’s Office and Secretariat General of the Constitutional Court will be able to carefully calculate estimated number of cases that are likely to enter the Court related to the 2019 Concurrent Elections. According to him, it can be used as a basis for estimating the human resources to prepare to resolve the 2019 legislative and presidential election disputes. It can also be used as a basis to prepare the facilities and infrastructure as well as budget.

“Of course we do not wish [for a high number of cases], but it does not mean that if the cases are so many that the Court is not prepared to resolve them. Therefore, 2019 can be said to be a [trying] year for the Constitutional Court to complete its constitutional obligation to guard the implementation of democratic process, in accordance with the principles set by the Constitution," he explained. He also said that staff must avoid committing violations. He urged the Secretary General to be strict towards the staff on this, and to manage documents of the cases by uploading them right after they are received by the Court.

The meeting also discussed the preparation of 2020–2035 Constitutional Court blueprint, vision and mission, as well as the 2020–2024 Constitutional Court Strategic Plans. The three documents are important as the Court’s basis to work as well as to motivate the institution in a long term. In addition, the Constitutional Court inaugurated Bangbang Village in Bangli as a Constitutional Village on November 28, 2018. (Hidayat/LA/Yuniar Widiastuti)