Court reminds aggrieved parties to keep abreast of hearings

Court reminds aggrieved parties to keep abreast of hearings

Muninggar Sri Saraswati, Jakarta

The Constitutional Court has reminded all political parties
contesting the legislative election to keep abreast of all
dispute hearings involving them, as they cannot argue against
whatever rulings that may arise.

"Our rulings are final and binding. Therefore, we call on all
political parties to follow the hearings of any case filed
against them as it will affect them," Constitutional Court
President Jimly Asshidiqie said.

He said the court's rulings were like a zero-sum game, in
which a party would lose a legislative seat if an opposing party
secured it.

"However, before we issue a ruling, we need to listen to
arguments from both the KPU and the political parties involved.
Therefore, all political parties must prepare evidence, written
documents and witnesses for any hearing involving a dispute over
election results," Jimly said.

Parties are allowed to challenge the election results three
days after they are announced by the General Elections Commission
(KPU). The commission is expected to publicly announce the
outcome on Wednesday at the latest.

Fellow justice Mukhtie Fadjar reminded all political parties
to prepare their evidence from now.

Jimly and Mukhtie invited political parties so they could be
briefed on the legal procedures to settle disputes over the
election results.

However, the court's nine judges and dozens of assistants and
staffers outnumbered the invitees, as only eight parties sent
representatives. Only the Social Democratic Labor Party (PBSD)
and the Indonesian Democratic Vanguard Party (PPDI) sent their
chairmen.

The Golkar Party, National Mandate Party (PAN), Crescent Star
Party (PBB), Reform Star Party (PBR) and the United Development
Party (PPP) were represented by lower-ranking executives.

It was the second meeting in as many weeks between the
Constitutional Court and the political parties that saw a low
turnout.

In Monday's meeting, most party representatives complained
about the process of the legislative election, which was dubbed
"the most democratic Indonesia has ever had, but full of
violations."

The party representatives asked whether the court would take
into account the violations when it heard disputes over the
election result.

Jimly promised the justices would be professional, fair and
impartial.

The settlement of disputes over election results was made
possible following last year's establishment of the
Constitutional Court, which is granted the authority to hear
judicial review cases, disputes involving election results and
the impeachment of a president.

Patrialis, a legislator on Commission II for law and home
affairs, said he was optimistic the Constitutional Court would be
able to settle the cases, including large ones.

"I'm sure we all understand that we must accept the court's
ruling as it is final and binding," he said.

However, Muchtar said it should be people who decide whether
to accept or reject the ruling.

"We don't know whether it will work but we will file a
complaint against the KPU," he asserted.