Depok readies for Mayor's inauguration

Depok readies for Mayor's inauguration

Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The Depok General Elections Commission (KPUD) has received a copy
of the Supreme Court's verdict on the Depok election dispute and
is preparing to inaugurate mayor-elect Nur Mahmudi Ismail.

"We will convey the verdict to the City Council and copies of
the notice will also be sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs and
West Java Governor Danny Setiawan," KPUD member Abdul Kholik told
The Jakarta Post on Sunday.

"These are normal steps in the inauguration of a mayor-elect,"
Abdul said, expressing the hope there would be no more problems
with the process.

On Dec. 16, the Supreme Court ruled Nur Mahmudi Ismail of the
Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) had won the mayoral election after
a protracted legal dispute over the Depok mayoralty with Badrul
Kamal of the Golkar Party.

That ruling threw out an August decision of the West Java High
Court to award Badrul and running-mate Syihabuddin Ahmad the
posts of mayor and deputy -- after allegations of vote-rigging
and fraud.

Kholik said the KPUD would not get involved in the dispute
between Nur Mahmudi and Badrul.

"Our task is to convey the Supreme Court's ruling to the City
Council. It is up to the council to continue the process. As far
as I know the council does not have the right to halt (inaugural)
processes," he said.

Meanwhile, about 1,000 supporters of Nur Mahmudi held prayers
on Saturday at the former Goro market outside Depok City Hall.

Nur Mahmudi denied the gathering was to counter recent
demonstrations by Badrul's supporters. During a protest in front
of Depok City Hall last week, Badrul's supporters burned tires,
PKS flags and t-shirts bearing Nur Mahmudi's picture.

"It is a religious gathering to pray for peace and a secure
Depok," said Nur Mahmudi on the sideline of the gathering as
quoted by Tempointeraktif.com.

Since the Supreme Court announced its verdict, Badrul's
supporters have protested regularly against the ruling, which
they said was illegal.

Under election law, a high court's decision on electoral
disputes is normally final. However, in its decision, the Supreme
Court ruled that keeping public faith in the courts was more
important and accused the high court judges of not properly
considering the evidence.

Nur Mahmudi expressed optimism his inauguration as Depok mayor
would occur soon.