Tony Akbar Hasibuan (The Petitioner’s legal counsel) testifying in front of the Panel 2 Justice, Deputy Chief Justice Saldi Isra (panel chair) and Constitutional Justices Ridwan Mansyur and Arsul Sani presiding over the 2024 Konawe Island Regent Election for case No.143/PHPU.BUP-XXIII/2025, Wednesday (1/15/2025). Photo by MKRI/Teguh

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JAKARTA, MKRI - Candidate Pair Number 3, Wa Ode Nurhayati and M. Yacub Rahman, filed a petition for the cancellation of the Certification of the Decision of the General Election Commission (KPU) Number 853 of 2024. This petition was presented during the preliminary hearing held on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, and was heard by Panel 2, presided over by Deputy Chief Justice Saldi Isra, along with Constitutional Justices Ridwan Mansyur and Arsul Sani.

In the hearing of Case Number 143/PHPU.BUP-XXIII/2025, Tony Akbar Hasibuan (The Petitioner’s legal counsel) stated that the high vote gain by Candidate Pair Number 4 Rifqi Saifullah Razak and M. Farid (14,255 votes) was caused by the partiality of the active regent, by replacing 51 village heads in the during the election period.

“Amrullah as the Regent actively replaced 51 Village Heads in Konawe Islands Regency by appointing State Civil Apparatus (ASN) as Acting Village Heads (Kades) during the election period,” stated Tony.

Tony also revealed that the alleged partiality of the active regent began during the determination of the election stages for the 2024 Konawe Islands Regency Election by the General Elections Commission (KPU). He pointed out that Rifqi Saifullah Razak, Candidate Number 4, is the biological son of Amrullah, the incumbent regent whose term of office is still ongoing.

Tony also revealed that the 51 acting village heads intervened and openly intimidated the cadres and village administrators to win candidate 4. The acting village heads promised that they would maintain their positions and also release the entire Regional Revenue and Expenditure Budget (APD) fund if they were willing to follow all their directions.

“Each cadre and village administrator is asked to get at least 5 votes to vote for Candidate Pair Number 4,” continued Tony.

Therefore, the Petitioner requested that the Konawe Islands Regency KPU (Election Commission) decree be canceled, and the Court order the disqualification of Candidate Number 4, Rifqi Saifullah Razak. Additionally, the Petitioner asked the Court to direct the Konawe Islands KPU to conduct a revote in seven sub-districts to ensure a fair and unbiased electoral process.

Read also : Petition Case Number 143/PHPU.BUP-XXIII/2025

Author     : Ahmad Sulthon Zainawi.
Editor      : N. Rosi.
Translators  : Dinta Aktivia/FS

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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