Demand for re-election of president in Indonesia
Last Updated on March 27, 2024 11:37 am
Anis Baswedan, who came second in the presidential election of Indonesia, demanded to hold the election again, alleging state interference in the election.
Baswedan, a former governor of the capital Jakarta, told the Constitutional Court that the administration exerted pressure on regional authorities to win over Defense Minister Praboyo Subianto. Also, social assistance was used as a ‘bargaining tool’
But President Joko Widodo’s administration has denied the allegations of meddling in last month’s election Widodo has backed Subianto in the election, even though they were once rivals Subianto vowed to continue Widodo’s work He wants to continue work like modernization of infrastructure, creation of new jobs, establishment of industries to exploit mineral resources
Subianto received 60 percent of the vote Baswedan got 25 percent, another candidate Ganjar Pranoyo got 16 percent
Baswedan said the election risks the establishment of past authoritarian regimes in the world’s third-largest democracy.
“If we don’t correct it now, it will become a precedent for elections at all levels in the future,” he said.
Baswedan feels that this system will become a normal practice
Challenging election results in court is a regular occurrence in Indonesia
The court is expected to rule on Baswedan’s challenge on April 22
Subianto’s lawyers say Baswedan made the allegations based on speculation and without substantial evidence to back it up
Meanwhile, lawyers for third-placed candidate Ganjara Pranoyo have asked the Constitutional Court to order a re-election by June 26. They said the last-minute inclusion of President Widodo’s son Jibran Rakabuming Raka as Subianto’s vice president influenced the election.
A sudden change in the law on eligibility to run for the vice-presidential position opened the door for Raqa to contest the election. The court that ordered such a change was presided over by Anwar Usman, a relative of President Widodo