Court orders KPU to recount ballot

Court orders KPU to recount ballot

Muninggar Sri Saraswati, Jakarta

The Constitutional Court ordered on Wednesday the General
Elections Commission (KPU) to recount ballot papers in 754
polling stations in Sampang regency on Madura island in a bid to
obtain hard evidence for a lawsuit filed by the National
Awakening Party (PKB) against the commission.

"Our team, led by Satya Arinanto, will arrive on the island on
Friday to witness the recount, along with other witnesses
representing 24 political parties and the KPU," Constitutional
Court chief Jimly Asshiddiqie told a media conference on
Wednesday.

The ballot papers which are to be subject to a recount are
from Robatal, Sampang, Kedungdung, Banyuates, Sokobana and Ketang
subdistricts.

Data from the KPU and the election commission in Sampang on
the results of the ballot counting show discrepancies, Jimly
said, hence the need for a recount.

The PKB is challenging the KPU in court over the ballot
counting which has cost it a seat in the Sampang regental
legislature. PKB claimed it gained 181,095 votes but the local
KPU recorded only 178,884.

The court has also ordered that the KPU conduct the recount
under the watchful eyes of witnesses from 24 political parties
and the court.

"We have asked the police to guard the venues where the ballot
recount will take place in Madura and Jakarta to prevent any
possible disturbance. The verdict may affect the seat
distribution in the regental legislature," Jimly said.

The result of the recount, Jimly said, would be disclosed in a
hearing on June 2.

The court is hearing 257 cases filed by 23 political parties
and 21 candidates for the Regional Representatives Council within
30 days.