Ridwan Darmawan as the attorney of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) presenting the subjects of the petition during the hearing of the 2019 DPR-DPRD Election Results Dispute (PHPU) of Gorontalo Province on Thursday (11/7) in the Panel Courtroom of Constitutional Court. Photo by Humas MK/Ganie.

JAKARTA, Public Relations of the Constitutional Court—The 2019 DPR-DPRD (House of Representatives-Regional Legislative Council) PHPU hearing was held again at the Constitutional Court (MK) in Panel 2 on Thursday (11/7/2019) at 13.30 WIB. The hearing was presided over by Constitutional Justice Aswanto, with two panel members, Justices Saldi Isra and Manahan M. P. Sitompul.

In the hearing of petition No. 78-03-30/PHPU.DPR-DPRD/XVII/2019, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) was represented by Ridwan Darmawan as attorney. Ridwan revealed, in Pohuwato 1 electoral district (Dapil), there was ballot stuffing for the Golkar Party of 40 votes as decided by the General Elections Commission /KPU (Respondent).

“Based on comparison of the copy of DB1 forms, the Respondent increased 40 valid votes for the Golkar Party in the dapil. The ballot stuffing occurred in three sub-districts: Marisa Sub-district, Patilanggio Sub-district, Duhidas Sub-district," Ridwan said before the panel of justices.

Meanwhile, in Gorontalo District 4 electoral district (Dapil), PDIP received 1,693 votes and the Golkar Party received 6,914 votes. The vote results caused the Golkar Party to win stay above the other political parties, including PDIP in the election of DPRD members in Gorontalo. However, according to Ridwan, the results were due to violations and fraud in the election of Gorontalo DPRD members, especiall in Dapil Gorontalo 4.

“[Some] registered voters in DPK used e-KTP to vote at TPS [(polling stations)], but those voters were only given 3 types of ballot papers: the ballot papers for the presidential election, DPR and DPD election. There should have been five ballot papers: the ballot papers for the presidential election, DPR, DPD, Provincial DPRD, and the Regency/Municipality DPRD," said Ridwan.

Meanwhile, in petition No. 03-08-30/PHPU.DPR-DPRD/XVII/2019, the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) through attorney Ahmar Ihsan Rangkuti questioned their vote acquisition in Dapil Gorontalo 1. According to PKS, based on the tally, PKS should have received 7,830 votes. However, the KPU determined 7,730 votes and there is a difference of 100 votes.

"The difference of 100 votes was due to several violations committed by the Hulonthalangi and West City election organizers," Ahmar said. For example, the Polling Station Working Committee (KPPS) of Tenda Village did not put the C7 form or the voter attendance list in the ballot box.

Another thing happened in the Special Region of Yogyakarta. Through petition No. 30-01-15/PHPU.DPR-DPRD/XVII/2019 Fitroh Nurwijoyo Legowo, as a candidate for Special Province of Yogyakarta DPRD from the National Awakening Party (PKB), questioned ballot stuffing for another PKB candidate Hifni Muhammad Nasikh, allegedly committed by the KPU. Fitroh received 8,462 votes, while Hifni received 8,637 votes. The ballot stuffing was mostly caused by a large number of unregistered voters that voted anyway. Many ballot papers were mixed up, and many had been used. (Nano Tresna Arfana/NRA)

Translated by: MJK/YW