Chief Justice Suhartoyo delivered speech and guidance during the Coaching Clinic under the theme “Judicial Technical Support for Substitute Registrars of General Election Results Dispute Cases of 2024 on Thursday (2/29/2024) at Grha 3 Hall, Pancasila and Constitution Education Center (Pusdik MK). Photo by MKRI/Panji.

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BOGOR (MKRI) — Constitutional Court (MK) Chief Justice Suhartoyo opened the Coaching Clinic under the theme “Judicial Technical Support for Substitute Registrars of General Election Results Dispute Cases” on Thursday, February 29, 2024, at Grha 3 Hall of the Pancasila and Constitution Education Center (Pusdik MK), Cisarua, Bogor, West Java. During his speech, the Chief Justice said that the coaching clinic was a short training as part of a task force that had been going on for some time.

“In this task force, some of our colleagues may become substitute registrars for the first time. So, the number of substitute registrars is the biggest this time since all researchers are assigned as ad hoc substitute registrars,” Suhartoyo explained.

Suhartoyo also appreciated the event committee since, this time, it emphasized technical aspects. It is also part of the substitute registrar’s job to master tasks given by constitutional justices.

“Registrars are familiar that this type of petition’s structure will refer to what kind of decision model. So if there are any flaws structurally on the petitions, you can detect them directly, so that you can synergize with the justices. Although, in the end, the justices will have the final say, you can give insight to justices,” Suhartoyo explained.

Moreover, Suhartoyo also added that in the General Election Results Dispute (PHPU) this time, MK will have dismissal decisions. The said decisions are for flawed petitions and cannot proceed.

“One thing I want to say to His Excellencies is that this year, Insya Allah, we will adopt a dismissal system, “Suhartoyo affirmed.

Closing his remarks, Suhartoyo hoped the coaching clinic could gain maximum results so that we can face the PHPU coming to MK with maximum preparation.

Meanwhile, the Secretary-General of MK, Heru Setiawan, in his report, explained the goals and urgency of the coaching clinic to discuss various issues regarding the PHPU case handling in 2024. Heru also conveyed that this event was started with speakers of the Indonesian language in the decision-making and the presented speaker from the General Elections Commission of the Republic of Indonesia (KPU) regarding the PHPU case handling mechanism.

“Coaching clinic on the Judicial Technical Support for Substitute Registrars of General Election Results Dispute of 2024 will start today until Monday morning,” Heru reported on the event.

Decision language

Previously, a Language Expert from the Ministry of Research, Technology, and Higher Education, Maryanto, in the first session, argued that the Indonesian language is imperative, where the Indonesian Language is a foundation of our state, that is, Pancasila. Maryanto delivered its lecture titled “Prioritas the Indonesian Language, Preserve the Local Language, and Master Foreign Language.” For him, language on MK decisions has different rules than daily language.

“Hence, we need to improve vocabulary on legal terms. Moreover, here we also learn more about Indonesian language guidance and become more skillful in using the Indonesian language in a good and correct manner when making MK decisions,” he explained.

Violations during elections

The next speaker from the General Elections Commission, represented by Election Management Expert Sigit Joyowardono, explained the PHPU handling mechanism of 2024. Starting from the PHPU timeline to violations during the elections.

Sigit revealed that on the general elections timeline with the Open-list Proportional System, KPU must collect population data at home and abroad to determine the Final Voters List (DPT). It will serve as the basis of voting. Next, the vote counting will be recapitulated after the vote-taking; the regent/city and province level will be done until March 7, 2024. Meanwhile, at the national level, recapitulation will be until March 20, 2024.

“Based on previous experience, while on paper, the one taking the case to MK should be political parties, but there may be some candidates submitting their case without their parties’ consent. It is due to many violations during the elections with an open-list proportional system. Violations are common from the nomination stage until vote counting. Violations during the election are common during the campaign period,” Sigit explained.

As known, the Coaching Clinic took place on Thursday-Sunday (February, 29-March, 3, 2024). Eighty participants joined the event, consisting of the Coordinator of each panel, Registrars, and Expert Assistants to Constitutional Justices.

Author       : Bambang Panji Erawan
Editor        : Nur R.
Translator  : Rizky Kurnia Chaesario (NL)

Disclaimer: The original version of the news is in Indonesian. In case of any differences between the English and the Indonesian versions, the Indonesian version will prevail.

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