Court puts limits on hearing poll disputes

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.