Supreme Court is Expected to Make Decision on Ex-Graft Convicts Run Election

Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Wiranto in frame with Minister of Home Affairs, Head of General Election Commission (KPU), Head of Election Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu), and Head of Election Organization Ethics Council (DKPP) after special coordination meeting at Office of Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs (Kemenkopolhukam), Jakarta, Tuesday (4/9). (Photo: PR of Kemenkopolhukam)

Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs (Polhukam) Wiranto asked the Supreme Court (MA) to immediately finish the judicial review of Regulation of the General Election Commission (PKPU) Number 20 of 2018 on the prohibition of former graft convict to run in the 2019 legislative elections.

The request was submitted due to disagreement between the Election Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) which allows the former graft convicts to run in the legislative elections, while the General Election Commission (KPU) against it.

Wiranto explained that both Bawaslu and KPU have their own legal arguments that are valid, acceptable, and rational. However, it turned out, the arguments are contradictory with each other.

Therefore, Wiranto added, all parties asked the Supreme Court to accelerate the decision to decide which regulation to follow.

“Decision from the Supreme Court is the key to decide the measures that the KPU and the Bawaslu will take,” said Wiranto.

Wiranto continue saying that, after this meeting there would be a tripartite follow-up meeting between the KPU, Bawaslu, and Election Organization Ethics Council (DKPP). The meeting will discuss more detailed plans that are fair for everyone, particularly for national political interests.

“The election stage should not be delayed due to this issue. We will ask the Supreme Court to immediately prioritize this issue no later than 20 September 2018,” said Wiranto.

Meanwhile, Head of KPU Arief Budiman said the follow-up meeting between KPU, Bawaslu, and DKPP will be held on Wednesday (5/9).

“Today’s meeting involves many institutions. All perspectives, ideas, inputs, and notes from this meeting will be further discussed tomorrow, with more specific participants (only the election organizer),” Arief said.

Present in the meeting were Minister of Home Affairs Tjahjo Kumolo, members of Bawaslu, Commissioners of KPU, and members of DKPP. (PR of Ministry Polhukam/ES) (STU/YM/Naster)