Democrat Accuses Jokowi Administration of Cheating in Election

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Democratic Party has accused the Joko “Jokowi” Widodo administration of abusing its authority to help win candidates that are endorsed by PDIP in the simultaneous regional election held in June 27.

Democratic Party’s legal and advocacy head division Ferdinand Hutahaean said that his Party’s criticism and allegation is based on evidences in the field.

“Our Chairman Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Party managements often go to regional areas and found that there were many dishonest attempts conducted by the government, especially if it’s related to the regional elections,” said Ferdinand yesterday.

Ferdinand said that the Democratic Party will be more assertive against Jokowi’s administration, as instructed by Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

Ever since the 2014 General Elections, Democratic Party has chosen to take a more neutral position and prefers not to join the administration’s party or even the opposition party. The relationship between Jokowi and Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono had fluctuated through the years where both men would often provide each other with criticism.

Just two weeks prior, the Democratic party shanged its stance by pushing for the Party’s cadre to monitor and criticize the work performance of Jokowi’s administration. Yudhoyono also said that he saw signs of partiality instead of neutrality within the state officials in handling this year’s regional elections.

However, PDIP member Bambang Dwi Hartono denied that his political party and the current state administration had not cheated. He even fired back by mentioning the time when Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono used the General Elections Committee (KPU) member as the Democratic party’s management.

REZKI ALVIONITASARI