Vote-count objections

Vote-count objections

Doubts were raised during the plenary session of the General Elections Commission (KPU) over the manual count of the July 5 presidential election. The Amien Rais-Siswono Yudohusodo and Wiranto-Solahuddin Wahid camps questioned the difference between the number of actual ballots cast and the number of registered voters.

Data collected by the two camps found irregularities in the electoral regions of East Java, South Sumatra, Banten, Riau and Jakarta. They also said some form of manipulation was found in the vote-count.

Moreover, they objected to the issuance of the KPU circular on the validity of ballots with double punctures.

The Wiranto camp has even refused to sign the tally results, asking for a recount and taking the case to the Supreme Court.

We do understand their disappointment, as the candidates want a fair and honest election, as with the people. The value of democracy will be determined by the behavior of the election organizers.

Honesty, fairness and openness differentiates the election under the Reform era from that during the New Order era.

The KPU should not close its eyes to these objections.

Even though Wiranto's refusal to verify the tally will not influence the results of the manual vote-count, the KPU should not see it as a happy ending in terms of legal application.

It should take responsibility for the sake of honesty, fairness and openness. -- Republika, Jakarta