Ballot Box Seals Opened, Bawaslu Suggests for Re-election
Reported by Budhi Firmansyah Surapati | Translated by Rini Elvira
Presidential election in Tanjung Priok Sub-District, North Jakarta, is threatened to be held again due to the polling committee (PPS) in 15 polling stations (TPS) are alleged had opened the seal of ballot boxes when brought them to sub-district polling committee (PPK). According to the rule, ballot boxes must be directly sealed after ballots counting. But because there were logistics left behind, the boxes had to be re-opened to put the logistics in.
Opening ballot box should have been done in a plenary meeting. What we recommend is holding re-election in mentioned polling stations
The 15 polling stations are TPS 2, 15, 26, 29, 40, 46, 51, 52 and 68 in Papanggo Urban Village, and TPS 11, 17, 40, 51, 52 and 68 in Warakas Urban Village.
2,500 Ballots of Presidential Election in W. Jakarta Broken
Head of Jakarta Election Monitoring Board (Bawaslu), Mimah Susanti, said that opening sealed ballot box is against Law No. 42/2008 that says Polling Station Working Committee (KPPS) officer is prohibited to open ballot box without plenary meeting.
“Opening ballot box should have been done in a plenary meeting. What we recommend is holding re-election in mentioned polling stations,” she stated, Monday (7/14).
Meanwhile, Head of North Jakarta General Election Committee (KPU), Abdul Muin, told that Jakarta KPU will review Bawaslu’s recommendation. The review will include clarifications to various parties if needed.
“Almost all polling stations have the same case. They (KPPS officers) opened the seal because there were logistics left behind. Hopefully the review’s result could be out soon, so there would be certainty,” he uttered.
Based on the information gathered, Muin added, what had been done by KPPS officers do not change the substance of the polling results. This is because they opened the ballot boxes in front of president candidates winning teams’ witnesses.
“We only have 1,000 ballots to hold re-election. The opening of the ballot boxes was done in front of president candidates winning teams’ witnesses. That’s why I hope there would be review’s result soon,” he expressed.
