Vote Buying and Polling Station Reduction in West Bangka Elections

The Relevant Party’s expert Maruarah Siahaan at the evidentiary hearing for Case No. 99/PHPU.BUP-XXIII/2025 on the West Bangka regent election results dispute, Monday (2/10/2025). Photo by MKRI/Ifa.

JAKARTA (MKRI) - The Constitutional Court (MK) held an evidentiary hearing on the 2024 West Bangka regent election results dispute on Monday, February 7, 2025 in the panel courtroom. The hearing for Case No. 99/PHPU.BUP-XXIII/2025 was intended to hear testimonies from witnesses/experts as well as examine and validate additional evidence.

This hearing was presided over by Chief Justice Suhartoyo and Constitutional Justices Daniel Yusmic P. Foekh and M. Guntur Hamzah. Candidate Pair 01 Sukirman–Bong Ming Ming as the Petitioners presented witnesses Sri Meirina, Rizaldi, and Mayrest Kurniawan. Candidate Pair 02 Markus–Yus Derahman as the Relevant Party presented Alya Damayanti, Chairil Mading, and Fitria Anita. The West Bangka Regency KPU (Election Commission) as the Respondent presented Fitriansyah Perdana Putra, Tegar Anarky, and Zulkarnain.

The Petitioners’ witness Rizaldi, who served as the coordinator for Sinar Manik Village on behalf of the Relevant Party during the election, testified that he was instructed to gather 148 people to support Candidate Pair 02. However, after data verification, only 110 individuals were able to provide support.

"After identifying 110 names, we received Rp11 million on November 24, 2024, which was distributed a day before the election. Our honorarium was Rp1.5 million, and we signed a receipt with a Rp10,000 stamp. The money was handed over to the four polling station coordinators for distribution to the community. It was given in stages: 23 people at TPS 1, 27 at TPS 2, 30 at TPS 3, and 30 at TPS 4, with each person receiving Rp100,000." said Rizaldi.

The same statement was also made by Sri Meirina, a witness for the Petitioners, who served as a mandate witness for Candidate Pair 02 at TPS 012 in Sungai Daeng Village during the election. She admitted to distributing money to 25 voters, including Sumiati at TPS 012 in Kampung Senang Hati, Elvera at TPS 001 in Sungai Baru, Poniman at TPS 008 in Sungai Daeng, and Darwis at TPS 001 in Menara Air.

"I distributed money (Rp100,000) from Markus' campaign team (Relevant Party) the day before the election by visiting each person's house," explained Meirina, stating the number of voters receiving money to support the Relevant Party.

Distance to Polling Stations and Registered Voters

Fitriansyah Perdana Putra, Head of the Mentok District PPK (polling committee), stated that the district comprises five villages: Air Belo, Air Limau, Air Putih, Belo Laut, and Sungai Daeng. He noted that the polling station locations in these areas were at most a 2–3 minute walk from residents' homes. He emphasized that election officers were negligent if they failed to verify voters upon arrival at the polling stations.

"We carried out our duties in accordance with the election's technical guidelines and ensured that voters were registered on the DPT (final voter list). I also conducted monitoring and was present at TPS 2 in Keranggan Village," said Fitriansyah.

Impact of Polling Station Reduction

The Petitioner's expert Yance Arizona stated that the Respondent had proposed a grant to the regional government for polling station procurement. However, the Respondent ultimately established only 341 polling stations, fewer than the number outlined in the submitted grant proposal.

"Does this reduction affect voter turnout? In Bangka Belitung, there are seven regencies/cities, and West Bangka ranks third. When assessing polling station numbers in relation to voter turnout, it is best to compare participation rates with those of previous elections, both presidential and regional, considering the number of registered voters in DPT. In West Bangka, the reduction in polling stations has led to decreased services from election organizers, lower voter turnout, and ultimately, harm to the candidate pair," explained Yance.

Meanwhile, the Respondent's expert I Gusti Putu Artha commended the West Bangka Regency KPU for its cost-saving measures through the reduction. He argued that the decrease in the number of polling stations was unrelated to voter turnout and did not impact candidate pairs. "The KPU's actions align with regulations, which allocate up to 600 voters per polling station," said Artha.

TSM violations and the incumbent

The Relevant Party’s expert Maruarar Siahaan stated that the anti-incumbent sentiment during the election period was a key factor influencing voter behavior. He explained that it is common for incumbents to lose in subsequent elections, as voters assess their performance based on their previous tenure in office.

"Regarding structured, systematic, and massive (TSM) violations, it is linked to the existing structure within the incumbent, not the challenger," explained Maruarar.

Also read:

Sukirman-Bong Ming Ming Allege Vote Buying in West Bangka Regent Election

West Bangka Regency KPU Clarifies Polls Reduction

At the preliminary examination hearing on Thursday, January 9, 2025, the Petitioners filed a petition to annul the of the West Bangka KPU (Elections Commission) Decree No. 583 of 2024 on the certification of the 2024 West Bangka regent election results. They stated the vote acquisition for the candidate pairs: Candidates 01 Sukirman-Bong Ming Ming received 35,446 votes, Candidates 02 Markus-Yus Derahman obtained 36,872 votes, and Candidates 03 Mansah-Dwi Aryani garnered 23,980 votes.

According to the Petitioners, the votes for Candidate Pair 02 was allegedly influenced by vote buying in six districts: Muntok, Simpang Teritip, Jebus, Kelapa, Tempilang, and Parittiga. Additionally, during a campaign event, the candidate pair involved a member of the House of Representatives (DPR), Rudianto Tjen, from the PDI Perjuangan (Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle) faction, who made a visit during recess to Parittiga District. This visit was strongly suspected of use of state facilities and budget, with a high likelihood of money politics.

Furthermore, the number of polling stations in the West Bangka 2024 regional election was reduced compared to the 2020 regional election, which consists of six districts. In 2020, 400 polling stations served a total of 134,414 voters. However, in 2024, the number was reduced to only 341 polling stations with 151,000 voters. The Petitioners requested the Court to order the West Bangka KPU to conduct a revote at all polling stations in Muntok District, as well as at TPS 03 in Sungai Bulu Village, TPS 01 in Bulit Terak Village, TPS 05 in Air Lintang Village, TPS 03 in Tempilang Village, TPS 03 in Pangek Village, TPS 02 in Tebing Village, and TPS 01 in Rukam Village.

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Vote Buying and Polling Station Reduction in West Bangka Elections