Cianjur KPU and Bawaslu Response to the Alleged Signatures Manipulation

Ali Nurdin as the Respondent's legal counsel at the examination hearing for Case No. 200/PHPU.BUP-XXIII/2025 PPHPU on the regent election results dispute, Friday (1/17/2025). Photo by MKRI/Ifa.

JAKARTA (MKRI) – The Cianjur KPU (Election Commission) refuted allegations made by Cianjur regent-vice regent candidates 01 Herman Suherman and Muhammad Solih Ibang on the manipulation of the voter attendance list. The allegations were part of the Petition for Case No. 200/PHPU.BUP-XXIII/2025 on the 2024 Cianjur regent election results dispute. The KPU, as the Respondent, presented its rebuttal during another hearing held to hear testimonies from the Respondent, Relevant Party, and Bawaslu (Election Supervisory Body) and the validation of evidence at the Constitutional Court on Friday, January 17, 2025.

The hearing was presided over by Chief Justice Suhartoyo (panel chair) and Constitutional Justices Daniel Yusmic P. Foekh and M. Guntur Hamzah on panel 1. In addition to the Respondent, the Cianjur Bawaslu and the Relevant Party, i.e., Candidate Pair 02 Muhammad Wahyu Ferdian and Ramzi, represented by their legal counsel, were also present.

The Respondent refuted the Petitioners’ claim regarding the manipulation of signatures in the voter attendance list at polling stations (TPS). The Respondent deemed the argument unclear due to differences between the number of polling stations mentioned in the argument and those listed in the table provided in the petition.

"In the Petitioners’ argument, seven districts are mentioned. However, the table lists only six polling stations spread across five districts. This indicates multiple errors," stated the Respondent's legal counsel Ali Nurdin.

The Respondent also addressed the Petitioners’ claim regarding the format of the voter attendance list, which allegedly omitted the Family Card (KK) number and the neighborhood unit/community unit (RT/RW) details of voters. They clarified that the voter attendance list format at the polling stations was prepared in full compliance with applicable regulations.

"The attendance list already includes the NIK [National Identity Number] as required by the Constitutional Court's guidelines. The KK is excluded to prevent potential misuse," explained Ali Nurdin.

Also read: Cianjur Regent Election Results Dispute: Alleged Manipulation of Voter Attendance List Challenged

Recommendations from the Cianjur Bawaslu

Regarding the signatures, the Cianjur Bawaslu stated during the hearing that they had issued a recommendation letter for TPS 14 in Tanjungsari Village, Sukaluyu District. The letter confirmed that the incident constituted a violation of election administration.

"Furthermore, it was recommended to the Cianjur KPU and also the recommendation stated that the chairperson and member of the KPPS [polling station working committee] violated the election code of ethics," said the Cianjur Bawaslu chairperson, Asep Tandang Suparman.

Recommendations were also issued concerning unsealed ballot boxes, which had previously been raised by the Petitioners as one of their claims in the case.

Cianjur Bawaslu explains about unsealed ballot boxes

"Regarding the unsealed ballot boxes, the Cianjur Bawaslu has issued a recommendation letter stating that this is a violation of election administration, and the recommendation is also stated as a code of ethics for election organizers to be further recommended to the Cianjur KPU," said Asep.

The Relevant Party presented a statement refuting the Petitioners’ claims, including allegations of involvement by state civil apparatus (ASN) in the Relevant Party's campaign efforts.

The Relevant Party cited Cianjur District Court Decree No. 370/Pid.Sus/2024/PN/Cjr, which identified the Petitioners as a defendant in a criminal violation related to the 2024 election.

"Candidate Pair 01 as the Petitioners have been decided to be sentenced for one month," stated the Relevant Party’s legal counsel, Sopirmas.

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Cianjur KPU and Bawaslu Response to the Alleged Signatures Manipulation