Election violations alleged, trial begins in Medan

Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Medan

Three candidates, who ran for mayor of Binjai, brought their cases to court on Friday, charging that the Binjai Election Committee had disadvantaged them by changing the election schedule.

The cases, the first to go to trial following the elections of regional heads in North Sumatra's 13 regencies and municipalities last month, were heard by the North Sumatra High Court, with presiding judge Ahmad Dahlan.

The three candidates -- Abdul Gani Sitepu, Hermanan Manan and Tengku Indra Bungsu -- said that the committee's decision, which announced the change of the election schedule from June 27 to July 4 only a day before the election date, but then changed it back to June 27, had confused voters so many just did not vote.

Abdul Gani's lawyer, Aldian Pinem, charged that the change of schedule was made to ensure a win for a certain candidate in the election.

He said that a day before the Binjai election on June 27, the committee's chairman, Akhiar Rahmat Ridwan, announced the change of schedule following the protest of some residents who did not yet have their voter cards.

But on June 27, at 4 a.m., Akhiar changed the date back, running the election as earlier scheduled.

The decision was rejected by three candidates, with only one, Ali Umri, in favor of the last-second decision. Ali Umri has been serving as the Binjai mayor since 2000 and is currently leader of North Sumatra provincial branch of the Golkar Party.

After the votes were tallied, Ali Umri, along with his running mate Anhar Monel, was declared the winner with 42,759 votes.

They were followed by Abdul Gani Sitepu (supported by six parties including the United Development Party) with 35,686 votes, well ahead of Tengku Indra Bungsu (Prosperous Justice Party, Reform Star Party) with 10,259 votes, and Hermanan (supported by a coalition of small parties) with 3,839 votes.

The court proceedings will continue on July 11.