Bawaslu Admits He Often Has Different Opinions With The Police-Prosecutors When Investigating Allegations Of Election Crimes

MK/DOK PHOTO Building: Diah Ayu-VOI

Chairman of the General Election Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) Rahmat Bagja admitted that his party often disagrees with the police and prosecutors in handling alleged election criminal violations.

Specifically for handling alleged violations and election crimes, Bawaslu formed an Integrated Law Enforcement Center (Sentra Gakkumdu) with the police and the prosecutor's office.

"Sometimes there is a difference of opinion between Bawaslu and friends of the police and prosecutors. For example, in several articles, for example, increasing the material is proven, then criminal action can be taken," Bagja said in a hearing at the Constitutional Court (MK), Wednesday, April 3.

In a sense, when processing election violations that lead to criminal acts, the police and the prosecutor's office will take criminal action when it is clear that there was an incident that benefited one of the election participants.

"That then becomes a difference in the electoral supervisory body. But in some ways, criminal cases have also been successfully carried out by the Election Supervisory Agency. So it is not true that Bawaslu is picky," said Bagja.

The Constitutional Court (MK) has again held a follow-up hearing in the General Election Result Dispute (PHPU) trial, today. The agenda is the examination of witnesses and evidence from the General Elections Commission (KPU) and the Election Supervisory Body (Baswaslu) as the respondent.

At this trial, the KPU presented one expert, namely Prof. Marsudi Wahyu Kisworo. Then, there were two witnesses, namely Yudistira Dwi Wardhana Asnar who is the developer of Sirekap ITB and Andre Putra Hermawan as the KPU Pusdatin.

Meanwhile, Bawaslu is said to have presented one expert, namely Prof. Muhammad Alhamid, who is a Professor of the Faculty of Political and Social Sciences, Hassanudin University. He also served as Chairman of Bawaslu for the 2012-2017 period.

Then, for witnesses, Bawaslu appointed seven people. They include Iji Jaelani, Hari Dermanto, Nur Kholiq, Sakhroji, Zacky M Zamzam, Umi Illiyina, and Bardul Munir. The witnesses are Indonesian Bawaslu experts and provincial Bawaslu commissioners.