Election Dispute: Top Court Dismisses Link Between Social Assistance and Prabowo-Gibran's Victory
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22 April 2024 19:40 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Constitutional Court or MK assessed that ministers' involvement in the social assistance program was not beneficial to running candidates Prabowo Subianto-Gibran Rakabuming. Constitutional Justice Arsul Sani said on Monday during a decision hearing of the presidential election dispute that the involvement was lawful and did not increase Prabowo-Gibran’s votes.
Based on the ministers’ statement presented at the previous court hearing, said Arsul, the social assistance program was a part of the social protection program and had been approved by the House of Representatives or DPR.
The four ministers summoned at the hearing included the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Cultural Affairs Muhadjir Effendy, the Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani, and the Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini.
"Regarding the existence of fraudulent intention during the drafting of the social protection program, the Court did not find such intention beyond what was presented by the ministers during the hearing, especially the Finance Minister," said Arsul.
The Court also did not find any irregularities or violations in the social assistance budget as argued by the applicant. He said budget implementation, including the social assistance, had been clearly regulated.
Additionally, the Court also found no empirical evidence that the social assistance directly influenced the voters. Survey results read out by experts failed to convince the judges that social assistance undoubtedly influences election results.
The Constitutional Court held the decision hearing for the presidential election dispute today, Monday, April 22, 2024. Anies Baswedan-Muhaimin Iskandar and Ganjar Pranowo-Mahfud Md were present directly at the court. Chairman of KPU Hasyim Asy'ari and Chairman of Bawaslu Rahmat Bagja were also present in person. Meanwhile, Prabowo Subianto-Gibran Rakabuming Raka were not present and were represented by their legal team.
JOHANES MAHARSO JOHARSOYO
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