The Respondent’s legal counsel Gatot Rusbal (right) at the examination hearing for Case No. 105/PHPU.BUP-XXIII/2025 on the East Bolaang Mongondow regent election results dispute, Wednesday (1/22/2025). Photo by MKRI/Bayu.

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JAKARTA (MKRI) – East Bolaang Mongondow regent-vice regent candidates 01 Oskar Manopo-Argo Vinsensius Sumaiku (Relevant Party) denied the allegation of voter intimidation in the regent election. They clarified that after reviewing the video submitted by the Petitioners, they found no indication of threats or intimidation directed at voters.

This was conveyed by the Relevant Party’s legal counsel Michael Remizaldy Jacobus at the examination hearing aimed to hear testimonies from the Respondent, Relevant Party, and Bawaslu, as well as to validate evidence for Case No. 105/PHPU.BUP-XXIII/2025 on Wednesday, January 22, 2025.

“We have also received a statement from the victims (who were allegedly intimidated) confirming that they did not lose their voting rights,” said Michael in the plenary courtroom.

The East Bolaang Mongondow KPU (Elections Commission) as the Respondent also denied the allegations of voter intimidation. Gatot Rusbal as the Respondent’s legal counsel stated that the Respondent had not received any report or recommendation from the East Bolaang Mongondow Bawaslu (Elections Supervisory Body) concerning the alleged intimidation.

The Respondent also addressed the argument that voters from outside East Bolaang Mongondow had used their voting rights with ID cards at six polling stations, i.e., TPS 1 in Modayag Village, TPS 2 in Modayag Village, TPS 1 in Modayag Village 2, TPS 2 in Modayag Village 2, TPS 3 in Modayag Village, and TPS 2 in Tobongon Village. “The Petitioners’ argument was untrue and fabricated because they failed to identify which voters were allegedly not registered in the East Bolaang Mongondow Regency’s DPT (final voter list),” stated Gatot.

The Respondent also refuted the Petitioners’ argument regarding the alleged mobilization of voters at TPS 2 of Bongkudai, West Modayag District. According to the Respondent, the Petitioners had failed to provide evidence of the number of voters allegedly mobilized at the polling stations. Furthermore, the Respondent emphasized that the voting and vote counting at TPS 2 of Bongkudai had been conducted smoothly, without any objections raised by the witnesses of all candidate pairs.

Meanwhile, the East Bolaang Mongondow Bawaslu received six reports and findings, including those related to vote buying or “money politics” and voter intimidation. These reports were followed up and processed, with investigations executed by the East Bolaang Mongondow Police.

“Because the reported party could not be clarified, [the reports] expired, Your Honors,” said Bawaslu member Trisno Mais.

Also read: Sachrul-Rusmin Allege Intimidation in East Bolaang Mongondow Regent Election

At the previous hearing, Candidate Pair 02 Sam Sachrul Mamonto-Rusmin Mokoagow (Petitioners) argued three points of alleged violations in their petition: voter intimidation, money politics, and ineligible voters.

Author              : Nawir Arsyad Akbar
Editor                : Tiara Agustina
Translator         : Nazila Rikhusshuba/Yuniar Widiastuti (NL) (RA)

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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