Ganjar-Mahfud Team Requests Police Chief to Appear at Election Dispute Hearing

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Deputy Legal Team of the Ganjar-Mahfud National Winning Team (TPN), Todung Mulya Lubis, asked the Constitutional Court (MK) on Tuesday to present National Police Chief Listyo Sigit Prabowo in the 2024 presidential election dispute hearing.

Responding to the request, the National Police Chief said he was ready to attend the hearing if summoned by the Constitutional Court.

"Alhamdulillah, if the Constitutional Court judges summon us, we will gladly attend," Sigit said when met after an iftar event in Jakarta on Tuesday evening, April 2, 2024, as quoted by Antara.

Sigit said his presence at the hearing would represent a lawful citizen complying with the law. "We obey the rules and the constitution," he said.

Request from Ganjar-Mahfud camp

Todung Mulya Lubis said his side asked MK for the Police Chief to appear as a witness to the election dispute hearing in addition to the four ministers and the Honorary Council of Election Organizers (DKPP).

"We will also request the Head Judge to present the Police Chief at the next hearing," said Todung.

Previously, Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court Suhartoyo ensured that the panel of judges would summon four ministers of President Joko Widodo's Cabinet and the DKPP in the 2024 presidential election dispute hearing on Friday, April 5, 2024. 

The four ministers are Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Cultural Affairs Muhadjir Effendy, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani, and Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini.

Todung explained his side requested the summoning of the Police Chief because of allegations of intimidation and criminalization by police officers related to the election and non-neutrality during the campaign period.

Through the summoning, the Ganjar-Mahfud Legal Team hopes to get an accountable explanation of the policies and orders issued by the police.

"It is not enough to look at the social assistance issue, but we also see aspects of violations committed by the police that harm democracy and the integrity of elections," he said.

Prabowo-Gibran Defense Team Reaction

In response to the request to bring the Police Chief to the hearing, a member of the Prabowo-Gibran Defense Team, Nicholay Aprilindo, proposed the Panel of Judges to present the Head of the National Intelligence Agency (BIN).

Chief Justice Suhartoyo said he would consider the request even though the actual submission of the proposal had ended on Monday, April 1. "We will discuss it with the judges," he said.

On a separate occasion, the Head of the Prabowo-Gibran Defense Team, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, said the proposal was made spontaneously.

"We did not actually submit a letter, but because Mr. Todung asked the Panel to present the Police Chief, we spontaneously asked the Chief of BIN to be presented by the Constitutional Court so that it is fair and balanced," Yusril said. According to him, all discussions regarding security and information on the implementation of elections should be heard in court. 

AMELIA RAHIMA SARI | ANTARA

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