Electoral contenders told to be prompt in filing complaints

Electoral contenders told to be prompt in filing complaints

Kurniawan Hari
The Jakarta Post
Jakarta

The Constitutional Court warned all electoral candidates that
should they dispute the results of this year's elections, all
necessary documents should be prepared in advance, as time was
limited.

Chairman of the court Jimly Asshiddiqie said his office was
preparing guideline for all legislative and presidential
candidates and political parties.

"We have to follow the timetable. This is not the time to
debate regulations," Jimly said after witnessing the inauguration
of A.A. Oka Mahendra, as the court's secretary general here on
Friday.

Jimly was referring to the Law No.24/2003 on the
Constitutional Court which suggests that individuals or political
parties file a complaint no later than three days after the
General Elections Commission (KPU) announces the election
results.

Article 78 of the law says that the court should deliver its
verdict within 14 days after a complaint over the presidential
election is registered with the court.

The law also gives 30 days to the court to settle disputes
regarding the results of the legislative elections.

The country will hold the general election and direct
presidential election on April 5 and July 5 respectively. Only
political parties or groups of parties collecting at least five
percent of the vote in the general election can nominate
presidential candidates.

Among the authorities of the court are to settle electoral
disputes, review laws, dissolve a political party and settle a
legal conflict between state institutions.

The court also has an obligation to pass judgment over any
allegation raised by the House of Representatives (DPR) that the
President has committed a wrongdoing.

Jimly underlined that all electoral candidates had to stick to
the schedule and regulations, otherwise the country's political
agenda would be disrupted.

To save time, however, Jimly said he would allow an individual
or party planning to seek the court's intervention to submit
their request via e-mail and submit the necessary documents
later.

Earlier, there had been suggestions that the court would hold
a teleconference for those unable to attend the hearing in
Jakarta.

However, after studying the proposal on a number of levels,
the court found the idea had several disadvantages.

According to Jimly, the teleconference would only benefit
candidates for the Regional Representatives Council (DPD)
election who live in remote areas, not presidential candidates
and political parties that are based in Jakarta.

Jimly added a teleconference would cost the state about Rp 75
million (US$8,823) per hour. Also, it could also be misused by
anyone viewing their time on television as an opportunity for
self-promotion.

"We finally concluded that the disadvantages of the
teleconference outweighed its benefit," he said.