Bawaslu Asks KPU To Postpone Pilkada Voting In Boven Digoel

Bawaslu press conference (DOK.Humas Bawaslu)

JAKARTA - Chairman of the Election Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) Abhan asked the General Election Commission (KPU) to postpone the 2020 Pilkada voting in Boven Digoel Regency, Papua.

The reason is that there is currently a local election dispute process related to the cancellation of the nomination of the Yusak Yaluwo-Yakob Weremba pair on November 29.

"We have sent a letter to the KPU that currently in Doven Digoel there is a dispute process," Abhan said at the Bawaslu building, Central Jakarta, Friday, December 4.

Abhan explained that currently there is a legal process after the KPU issued a decision to cancel a candidate pair. This process has been registered in the handling of the dispute by Bawaslu since 2 December.

Based on statutory regulations, Abhan estimates that the decision on the outcome of the election dispute in Boven Digoel will only come out in mid-February 2021.

"That because this is not possible on 9 December, the KPU (must determine) whether this will be postponed. That is in the realm of KPU policy," said Abhan.

Not to mention if there is a legal remedy in the form of an appeal to the State Administrative Court (PTUN). So, the decision resulting from a dispute that has legal force can still go on for longer.

"Then, if there is a legal action to the Supreme Court, it will be longer. This means that indirectly it is not possible to vote at Boven Digoel on December 9," he explained.

Initially, this problem began when the KPU canceled the candidacy of Yusak Yaluwo-Yakob Weremba ten days before the vote. The reason was that the Head of the Sukamiskin Headquarters reported that Yusak was a former corruption convict.

Yusak was only released on parole on August 7, 2014 with a probation period until May 26, 2017. In fact, PKPU Number 9 of 2020 regulates that a new person can run for regional elections five years after completing a prison sentence.

Yusak's cancellation from a candidate for regional head (cakada) made his supporters angry. They even took an anarchist action by burning the house belonging to the cakada competitor of Yusak, Chaerul Anwar.