Prabowo’s Legal Defense: No Interference in Indonesian Elections, Court Informed
In Jakarta on Thursday, the legal team representing Indonesian president-elect Prabowo Subianto argued before the Constitutional Court that there was no state interference in last month’s election, urging the court to dismiss a case brought by his opponents seeking to disqualify him.
Prabowo’s victory in the February 14 election was challenged by rival candidates Ganjar Pranowo and Anies Baswedan, who called for a new vote and the disqualification of Prabowo and his vice presidential running mate, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, the son of outgoing President Joko Widodo.
Otto Hasibuan, one of Prabowo’s lawyers, emphasized to the court that there were no violations or state interference that influenced the election outcome. He warned that calls for a re-election or disqualification could lead to a constitutional crisis.
Critics have accused Joko Widodo, popularly known as Jokowi, of favoring Prabowo and his son Gibran, who were declared winners by the national poll body. Gibran’s candidacy for vice president became possible after a last-minute ruling by the Constitutional Court altered eligibility criteria. However, the court’s former chief, Anwar Usman, who happens to be Jokowi’s brother-in-law, has been barred from presiding over election disputes due to ethics violations.
Despite the controversy, Prabowo’s legal team argued that Gibran’s candidacy was valid and not influenced by nepotism. They dismissed the allegations made by the losing candidates as mere “administrative complaints” and suggested that such matters should be addressed by the country’s election watchdog rather than the court.
Challenges to election outcomes are common in Indonesia, and the Constitutional Court is expected to make a decision on April 22. The winner of the presidential election is set to be inaugurated in October.
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