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Chief Justice Anwar Usman presenting participatory pin to Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) member at the 2019 Elections Results Dispute Resolution Technical Assistance at the Pancasila and Constitution Education Center, Cisarua, Bogor. Photo by Humas MK/Edoy.

A hundred and sixty members of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) participated in the 2019 Elections Results Dispute Resolution Technical Assistance at the Pancasila and Constitution Education Center, Bogor, on Thursday-Saturday (14-16/2/2019). In the official opening of the event, Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court Anwar Usman said that justice was the main thing for the establishment of a pillar of law so as to create a prosperous nation.

Justice Anwar acknowledged that politics was synonymous with power but if it was intended to uphold justice, there would be no conflict dividing the nation. If the election participants keep in mind the purpose of gaining a position, be it as president of member of the House of Representatives, Regional Representatives Council, and Regional Legislative Council (DPD), (DPRD) for servitude (ibadah), the reward would be extraordinary.

“And of course this will have a positive impact on the mandate that is received and executed properly. That is the meaning of true justice,” explained Justice Anwar in the presence of PKS Law and Human Rights Department Chairman of the central executive board (DPP) Zainuddin Paru and Head of PKS Advocacy Team Agus S.P. Otto.

Through this technical assistance, the Chief Justice added, the Constitutional Court invited PKS members to observe and study the procedures and provisions of the 2019 Elections Results Dispute Resolution, to be presented by experts in law and state administration. Therefore, when PKS has is in a dispute, the party can obtain justice at the Constitutional Court.

"Bismillahirrahmanirrahim [(in the name of God)], [I declare] the 2019 Elections Results Dispute Resolution Technical Assistance program for the Prosperous Justice Party officially open," Justice Anwar concluded, ending his speech.

Upholder of Justice

Zainuddin Paru, representing PKS President, stated in his speech that as one of the existing political parties PKS was part of the pillar of democracy. The democracy could work well, Zainuddin added, if each party had integrity and upheld justice. "Therefore, the Constitutional Court is the suitable place to learn about justice," he said.

Zainuddin admitted, in 2004, PKS first filed a case with the Constitutional Court. At that time, PKS managed to maintain the 31 seats sued. Furthermore, in 2005, PKS also filed a case on the Depok Municipal Election. This shows that the relationship between PKS and the Constitutional Court has been established for quite some time. Therefore, Zainuddin hoped that all participants, who were representatives of the central and regional governments as well as advocates, could follow the activities seriously and learn from the justices and academia. "This will be our preparation, not only in court proceeding but, more broadly, in being future leaders," he said.

Realization of Constitutional Court Authority

Head of the Pancasila and Constitution Education Center Kurniasih Panti Rahayu, in her report on the event, said that the technical assistance program that the Court held was part of the realization of the Court’s authority as stipulated in Article 24C paragraph (1) of the 1945 Constitution that the Court was authorized to decide on election results. Therefore, the Court considers the Elections Results Dispute (PHPU) Resolution not only be determined by performance of the Court, but also of various parties.

“Contesting political parties as petitioners or relevant parties, as well as the advocates who counsel, need to fully understand the procedure of filing a petition to the Court,” Kurniasih said before the 19^th class of the 42 technical assistance programs held by the Pancasila and Constitution Education Center ahead of the 2019 Simultaneous Elections.

During the program, the participants will receive materials on court procedure by experts in law and constitutional law, such as Constitutional Justice Suhartoyo, Court Registrar Muhidin, and Court researcher Mardian Wibowo. In addition, after receiving the materials, the participants will be assisted in drafting a petition and statement of the relevant party of the 2019 Elections Results Dispute (PHPU) of DPR, DPD, and DPRD members by several Court researchers. (Sri Pujianti/LA/Yuniar Widiastuti)

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