PSU Papua Gubernatorial Election, Integrity and Neutrality of Organizers and Regional Government Emphasized

JAYAPURA, PAPUA — The Constitutional Court has ruled that the 2024 Papua Governor and Deputy Governor Election must be repeated. With the implementation of this re-vote, the integrity and neutrality of the organizers and the government are being emphasized further.

The Constitutional Court (MK) ordered the Papua General Election Commission to conduct a re-vote (PSU) for the Papua Governor Election no later than 180 days after the verdict was announced.

"The outcome of the Constitutional Court's ruling yesterday highlights the poor implementation of regional head elections that occurred. This must serve as a collective evaluation," said political observer from Cenderawasih University, Yakobus Richard Murafer, in Jayapura, Papua, Tuesday (25/2/2025).

In its ruling on Monday (24/2/2025), the Constitutional Court disqualified Yermias Bisai, the elected deputy governor of Papua who ran alongside Benhur Tomi Mano. Yermias was proven to be dishonest and lacking good faith in meeting the candidate requirements for the 2024 Papua gubernatorial election.

The 2024 Papua Regional Election is contested by two candidate pairs, namely the PDI-P champion, Benhur Tomi Mano-Yermias Bisai, against Mathius D Fakhiri-Aryoko Rumaropen, supported by 15 political parties, including the Koalisi Indonesia Maju (KIM) plus. In the upcoming re-vote, PDI-P will seek a new running mate for Benhur.

Meanwhile, in his statement, Benhur said that his party respects the Constitutional Court's decision. He also called on all levels of society to maintain peace after the Constitutional Court's decision.

Benhur also hopes that his supporters will remain solid to repeat the victory they achieved in the November 27, 2024 vote. Coordination with the winning team will be carried out immediately regarding the PSU.

"We will soon compile a calendar of activities and consolidate the winning team," said Benhur.

Meanwhile, the Mathius D Fakhiri-Aryoko Rumaropen camp also appreciated the Constitutional Court's decision. Through their attorney, Bambang Widjojanto, said that all levels of society must monitor and supervise the implementation of the PSU in Papua.

Moreover, the Constitutional Court's decision confirmed dishonest and unprofessional actions during the implementation of the Papua Pilkada. There needs to be a total correction for the organizers of the Pilkada in Papua that is in accordance with the principles of democracy.

The results of yesterday's Constitutional Court ruling show the poor implementation of the regional head elections that occurred. This must be a joint evaluation.

Meanwhile, Yakobus said that the Constitutional Court's decision regarding the 2024 Papua Pilkada must be respected by all parties. Now, each party must prepare for the implementation of the PSU which must be carried out no later than 180 days after the Constitutional Court's decision.

Several things are of concern in the implementation of PSU in Papua. Yakobus argued that the Indonesian KPU must evaluate the KPU at the regional level to the lowest level before the implementation of PSU so that violations of democracy do not happen again.

Moreover, on January 24, 2025, the Election Organizer Honorary Council (DKPP) imposed a stern warning sanction on the Papua KPU. Five members of the Papua KPU, including the chairman, were found to have violated the code of ethics related to Yermias Bisai's candidacy certificate.

"People from the election organizers who are proven and involved in violations are no longer involved. Various notes including from the DKPP and other findings during the implementation must be evaluated before the PSU," said Yakobus.

In addition, he also reminded, neutrality and integrity of regional heads need to be a shared concern. Currently, districts/cities in Papua have definitive regional heads.

Yokobus hopes that definitive regional heads who are also affiliated with the coalition political parties of the candidate pairs must maintain stability in their regions. Therefore, the central government through the Ministry of Home Affairs must also supervise regional governments to avoid polemics in the community.

"We also expect a professional and neutral attitude from the TNI-Polri in overseeing the implementation of this democratic process," he said.