Court puts limits on hearing poll disputes

Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, Jakarta

Constitutional Court President Jimly Asshidiqie says the court will only consider election disputes that have significant impact on the position of the presidential candidates in order to speed up the election process.

"The court will only look into cases that could change the ranking of presidential candidates," Jimly said after meeting President Megawati Soekarnoputri on Wednesday.

Presidential candidates and their running mates have to file election complaints to the Constitutional Court within three days after the General Elections Commission announces the final election results on July 26.

The Constitutional Court has to deliver its verdict on the complaints within two weeks.

Jimly said potential disputes could come from candidates that came third or fourth in the vote counting as they sought to improve their rankings.

"I would like to remind the candidates' of their promise to accept either victory or defeat, so the election can proceed with only minor corrections," Jimly said.

As of Wednesday night, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono was leading the vote tally followed by Megawati Soekarnoputri, Wiranto, Amien Rais and Hamzah Haz.

The Constitutional Court is the only agency with the authority to decide on electoral disputes that could influence the second round of the election, a runoff between the top-two polling candidates on Sept. 20.

The court settled 273 electoral disputes in the April 5 legislative election.

Jimly said the new president and running mate would be sworn in on Oct. 20.

"All electoral disputes need to be settled by Oct. 15 at the latest, 10 days after the official announcement of the elected president," he said.