MK Ruling on 2024 Pilkada Disputes: Security Measures and Inauguration Clarifications

Independent Report – The Constitutional Court (MK) will deliver its dismissal ruling on the 2024 Regional Election (Pilkada) disputes on February 4 and 5, 2024. In response, the Indonesian National Police (Polri) has prepared security measures, particularly around the MK courthouse.

The Head of the Public Information Bureau (Karo Penmas) of the National Police Public Relations Division. Brigadier General Trunoyudo Wisnu Andiko. Stated that the police consistently carry out their duties in accordance with the mandate of the law. This includes maintaining public security and order, protecting and serving the public, and enforcing the law.

Security Plan from Pilkada to MK Ruling Stage

Trunoyudo emphasized that the police planned security measures from the start of the 2024 Pilkada until the MK’s ruling stage. With thorough preparations, the police aim to ensure a safe and conducive situation throughout the process. He made this statement during a press conference at the National Police Headquarters in South Jakarta.

He also highlighted that the 2024 Simultaneous Regional Elections involved various societal elements. Including political parties, community leaders, and election organizing bodies such as the General Elections Commission (KPU) and the Election Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu). The police are committed to securing every stage of the elections, with regional police (Polda) serving as the frontline in maintaining security. Additionally, they will cooperate with the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) to ensure order and security throughout the election process.

Also Read: Megawati to Meet Pope Francis at the World Leaders Summit on Children’s Rights

Meanwhile, the Minister of Home Affairs (Mendagri), Tito Karnavian. Affirmed that President Prabowo Subianto would inaugurate the elected regional heads from the 2024 Pilkada in Jakarta. This statement clarified previous reports suggesting that the inauguration would take place in the new capital, Nusantara (IKN).

Legal Framework for Inauguration in the Capital

According to Tito, Article 163, Paragraph (1) of Law Number 10 of 2016 concerning the Election of Governors, Regents, and Mayors mandates that the president conduct the inauguration of governors and deputy governors in the state capital. As of now, Jakarta remains the capital since no presidential regulation has officially transferred operational governance to IKN in East Kalimantan.

Tito explained that the law allows the inauguration of regional heads to occur simultaneously. Generally, governors are inaugurated by the president, while regents and mayors are inaugurated by governors. However, the law also grants the president the authority to inaugurate regional heads collectively. Therefore, the president will inaugurate governors, regents, and mayors without election disputes at the MK together.

Furthermore, Tito stated that with the MK’s dismissal ruling announcement set for February 4 and 5, 2025, the government has canceled the planned inauguration of elected regional heads without disputes on February 6, 2025. This decision ensures that the authorities resolve all legal proceedings related to the 2024 Pilkada before the inauguration.

With the police’s security measures in place and the government’s confirmation of the inauguration mechanism, officials hope that all stages of the 2024 Pilkada will proceed smoothly and remain peaceful. Maintaining security and order is a top priority to preserve a democratic process free from disruptions. All parties involved in the elections must cooperate to maintain national stability for the continuity of future governance.

Also Read : De-Islamization of Indonesian Muslim Women’s Identity in the Era of Society 5.0