Court quashes Anies’ bid to re-run Indonesian presidential polls
An Indonesian court yesterday rejected a challenge from losing candidate Anies Baswedan seeking a re-run of February’s presidential election and the disqualification of winner Prabowo Subianto and his running mate.
The Constitutional Court ruled that there was no evidence of systematic fraud and presidential “meddling”, or of state bodies, regional officials and social assistance having been mobilised to sway polls in the world’s thirdlargest democracy.
“The plaintiff’s petition has no legal basis in its entirety,” said Chief Justice Suhartoyo.
Five judges ruled in favour of rejecting the petition, with three dissenting opinions, he said.
Losing presidential candidates Anies and Ganjar Pranowo both separately alleged there was state interference to favour Defence Minister Prabowo, and had complained his running mate — the current president’s 36-yearold son — should not have been allowed to take part in the polls.
The administration and Prabowo rejected the allegations.
The judges were also expected to read their decision on Ganjar’s petition yesterday.
Prabowo’s rivals sought his disqualification, arguing the government’s widespread distribution of social aid in key areas had swayed the vote in his favour.
Cabinet members in court denied that the aid swayed voters and Prabowo, who won 58 per cent of the vote, dismissed the claim as baseless.
Judge Saldi Isra, who cast one of the dissenting votes, agreed that social assistance had been wielded for electoral advantage and argued for a re-vote in some areas.