Preliminary legislative election results dispute (PHPU) hearing of the West Nusa Tenggara electoral district (dapil) on Friday (12/7) in the Panel 3 Courtroom of the Constitutional Court. Photo by Humas MK/Teguh.
JAKARTA, Public Relations of the Constitutional Court—The 2019-2024 Regional Representatives Council (DPD) candidate Farouq Muhammad questioned the photo of his rival, Evi Apita Maya, which was printed on the ballot paper. Evi\'s photo is considered full of edits. According to Farouq, it influenced the people to choose Evi because of visual attractiveness.
This was revealed by Farouq Muhammad (Petitioner) in the DPD (Regional Legislative Council) legislative election results dispute (PHPU) hearing on Friday (12/7). The hearing was held in the Panel 3 Courtroom on the 4th floor of the Constitutional Court building. The panel of constitutional justices examining this petition was led by Constitutional Justice I Dewa Gede Palguna (as chairman of the panel) with two panel members, Constitutional Justices Suhartoyo, and Wahiduddin Adams.
The Petitioner\'s attorney Happy Hayati Helmi said that the photo editing process made by Evi was beyond normal limits. It has completely changed Evi\'s chin, nose, eyes, and skin color.
"The action taken by Evi has influenced the public to choose her during the voting, when Evi alleged did not campaign in remote areas optimally," Happy explained when conveying the subject of the petition No. 03-18/PHPU-DPD/XVII/2019.
By this action, said Happy, Evi was elected to become a DPD member with the most votes—283,932 votes. This is because the public chose Evi because of the [attractiveness] as displayed on the ballot paper. "Voters, the Petitioner, and other DPD candidates feel cheated and deceived," he said.
Happy also said that Evi violated Article 65 paragraph (1) letter (j) of the General Elections Commission (KPU) Regulation No. 30 of 2018. The provision in the article regulates the use of old photos of more than 6 months.
In addition, the Petitioner also questioned the photo of another rival, Lalu Suhaimi Ismy. The Petitioner said that Suhaimi have used the same old photo he had used when running in 2014-2019 DPD election, which also violates Article 65 paragraph (1) letter (j) on KPU Regulation No. 30 of 2018.
Happy also said that the KPU had taken the wrong act by determining that they both qualified to be DPD candidates. “We [the Petitioner] requested that the KPU Decree on the Declaration of the Results of the General Elections regarding the determination of the permanent list of DPD members for individuals by the name of Evi Apita Maya and Lalu Suhaimi Ismy be annulled and Farouq Muhammad be determined to be elected a DPD member,’’ he explained when reading the petitum.
At the same time, the constitutional justices panel also held a hearing for case No. 191-05-18/PHPU.DPR-DPRD/XVII/2019 submitted by the National Democratic Party (NasDem). The NasDem Party questioned the acquisition of votes in Bima Regency.
Attorney of the NasDem Party (Petitioner) Aperdi Situmorang revealed the subject of the petition related to the allocation for the DPRD seats of Bima Regency 6 electoral district (dapil). "The Petitioner should have received 8,648 votes but the Respondent determined he only got 8,645 votes. Meanwhile the People\'s Conscience Party’s (Hanura) votes increased from 2,876 votes to 2,914," Aperdi explained.
Today\'s panel session was also held to examine cases from the West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) Province No. 94-19-18/PHPU.DPR-DPRD/XVII/2019 submitted by the Crescent Star Party (PBB), No. 113-10-18/PHPU.DPR-DPRD/XVII/2019 submitted by individual Sopyan Hakim as, and No. 77-03-18/PHPU.DPR-DPRD/XVII/2019 submitted by the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP).
The panel also examined cases No. 160-02-18/PHPU.DPR-DPRD/XVII/2019 submitted by the Great Movement Party (Gerindra), No. 226-07-18/PHPU.DPR-DPRD/XVII/2019 submitted by the Berkarya Party, No. 179-04-18/PHPU.DPR-DPRD/XVII/2019 submitted by the Golongan Karya Party (Golkar), and No. 56-14-18/PHPU.DPR-DPRD/XVII/2019 submitted by the Democratic party. Except for the Berkarya Party, the Petitioners and their attorneys were present at the hearing. (Arif Satriantoro/NRA/RD)
Translated by: FS/YW
Friday, July 12, 2019 | 19:57 WIB 106