The candidate for the Elected Incumbent Regent Amirudin Tamoreka is considered to be disqualified through the decision of the Constitutional Court. Because the incumbent candidate is thick with the political aroma of money and social assistance as well as the mobilization of government officials, from the sub-district head, village head, SKPD to ASN Banggai Regency.
"Therefore, it is very appropriate if we conclude with a juridical theoretical analysis approach, this incumbent must indeed be disqualified from the decision of the Constitutional Court. That is if we really want to uphold truth and justice," said General Chairperson of the Association of Postgraduate Doctors of Indonesian Law Abdul Chair Ramadhan in the Menteng area, Jakarta, Sunday, January 2.
Abdul said there had been strong indications of abuse of authority or abuse of power by the incumbent regent candidate. Through the restructuring of the APBD, the mobilization of local government officials is used for the purpose of increasing electoral.
"There are strong indications of abuse of authority, abuse of power, abuse of power. Abuse of authority, power can be directly controlled, with its actions, it can also affect voters," said Abdul.
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For example, the efforts of the incumbent regent candidate to accelerate the decline of social assistance to be completed in November. In fact, the Ministry of Home Affairs has issued a circular to temporarily suspend social assistance.
"In addition, there is intervention that is disguised by devices from sub-districts to sub-districts," explained Abdul.
Therefore, it is clear that there are structured, systematic and massive efforts by the incumbent regent candidate Banggai through the regional budget and regional authority to influence voters in the 2024 Pilkada.
"This dominant position is what we know with the STM paradigm, TSM with a qualitative and quantitative approach. This is proof for us that there is a development of votes resulting in an increase in votes, winning incumbents illegally," said Abdul.
Abdul assessed that the Constitutional Court should issue a decision to disqualify incumbent candidates as election participants and re-vote without a candidate for incumbent regent.
"The vote acquisition cannot be separated from the process of implementing the regional elections so that the application for re-election, but with the absence of incumbents or disqualification, it is true, he cannot be used again in the next election. Because he has made himself an invalid winner," Abdul explained.
Covered Money Politics
Meanwhile, according to Professor of Constitutional Law from Pakuan Bogor University, Andi Asrun, stated that the use of the state budget, both from the state budget and the APBD, by incumbent candidates in an effort to win the election has become a model that is often encountered in various regions. So according to him, the Pilkada in Banggai Regency in 2024 was allegedly polluted by the practice of money politics and abuse of structured, systematic, and massive authority (TSM).
"This money political practice is usually in line with abuse of authority involving structural officials such as the sub-district head and village head, which are given promises to increase the budget ahead of voting day," Andi said at a press conference in the Central Jakarta area, Sunday, February 2, 2025.
Andi considered that this kind of practice not only damaged the quality of democracy, but also exacerbated the regional head election process, because it influenced people's choices in an unfair way.
According to him, evidence from the practice of money politics is easy to find, both in the form of basic food assistance, cash, and development projects that are often carried out ahead of the regional elections.
"This is a money political distribution strategy disguised as a 'government assistance', which ultimately affects voters," said Andi.
Furthermore, Andi highlighted the relationship between incumbents and election organizers, such as the KPU and Bawaslu, which often worsen the situation. In some cases, he said, Bawaslu was reluctant to impose sanctions for violations committed by incumbents, while the KPU also often rejected recommendations from Bawaslu.
"The mutualistic symbiotic relationship between incumbent candidates and election organizers often makes the election process no longer neutral," he explained.
Andi also added that regional heads who run for re-election often use the APBD as political capital to regain power, in various ways that are not in accordance with regional development plans.
"I remind you, this condition can damage the essence of elections which should be a fair and honest democratic party," he said.
Andi also emphasized the importance of public awareness of the rampant practice of money politics in the Pilkada, as well as the need for tighter supervision so that democracy does not only become a place for power struggle.
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