Muna regent candidate Purnama Ramadhan and his legal team showing proof of petition registration, Friday (12/6/2024) at the Constitutional Court. Photo by MKRI/Ilham W.M.

---

JAKARTA (MKRI) — Muna regent-vice regent candidates La Ode M. Rajiun Tumada-Purnama Ramadhan have filed a petition challenging the results of the 2024 regent election to the Constitutional Court (MK). Purnama Ramadhan filed it in person alongside legal counsel Aswan A. They argued that the incumbent had colluded with the KPU (General Elections Commission) to commit structured, systematic, and massive (TSM) violations throughout the election process.

“We have strong evidence to prove these violations. We are certain the constitutional justices will consider our petition fairly,” said Aswan.

The Petitioners also alleged that the incumbent had also practiced vote buying together with the KPU. In some cases, voters who had brought their KTP (resident ID card) were not allowed to cast a vote. They also alleged that state civil apparatus (ASN)—such as regency/city secretaries, subdistrict chiefs, ASN and non-ASN village chiefs—had been mobilized to support the incumbent. “They committed a violation during election silence by campaigning,” Aswan said.

The Petitioners believe those violations—ASN involvement and vote buying—had been reported to Bawaslu (Elections Supervisory Body). “Bawaslu has responded to our report by summoning the incumbent for information,” Aswan added.

Violations Leading to Vote Margin

Supiori regent-vice regent candidates Yotam Wakum-Marinus Maryar have also filed a petition challenging the election results. Their representative Ivan Robert revealed that they are suspecting a vote margin of 2,000 votes. He said it was a serious consequence of alleged violations.

“We are identifying these alleged violations and have reported it to Bawaslu, claiming that our candidate pair’s votes were not what they should be,” Ivan explained.

The KPU had certified 5,661 votes for Yotam Wakum-Marinus Maryar. Ivan said this number did not reflect the real results and the Petitioners had asked Bawaslu to investigate.

TSM Violations

On the same day, the Court also received a petition by South Buton regent-vice regent candidates 2 Aliadi-La Ode Rusyamin. Legal counsel Eka Rahmawati filed the petition in person on Friday, December 6, 2024 at the Court’s main building.

Interviewed after lodging the petition, Eka said it was based on the allegation of structured, systematic, and massive (TSM) violations by candidate pair Muhammad Adios-La Ode Risawal. One of them is the transfer of state civil apparatus (ASN) throughout the election period. “We have collected and prepared 21 pieces of evidence supporting the allegation of violations,” she said.

She also said that those pieces of evidence will reveal the alleged violations, which have affected the election process and results. She also expressed hope that the Court will examine and rule the case fairly. “We believe the Constitutional Court will consider our petition objectively to maintain election integrity,” she added.

Based on the South Buton KPU recapitulation, Adios-Risawal won with 17,681 votes, followed by Aliadi-La Ode Rusyamin with 14,242 votes, Samirudin-La Muhadi with 11,424 votes, and Hardodi-La Ode Amiruddin with 2,799 votes. Adios-Risawal dominated at three out of seven subdistricts: Sampolawa, Lapandewa, and West Siompu. Total votes in the South Buton Regency reached 46,146 votes.

Also read:

2024 Regional Election Disputes of Banjarbaru, Central Buton

Pesawaran and Kuantan Singingi Regent Candidates File Regional Election Result Dispute Petitions

Mandailing Natal Election on Qualification Issue, Empat Lawang on Term of Office

Rokan Hulu Regent Candidate and Gorontalo Mayor Candidate File Regional Election Result Dispute Petitions

Requirement of Debt-Free Certificate in Regional Election Challenged 

The list of the 2024 regional election result dispute petitions on the Court’s website showed 87 petitions have been lodged so far, 66 on regent election and 21 on mayor election. Out of them, 45 were filed online through SIMPEL, while the other 42 were lodged on site.

Author              : Utami Argawati
Editor               : Lulu Anjarsari P.
Translator         : Yuniar Widiastuti (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.

---