Hargo.co.id, JAKARTA – Mayor of Gorontalo, Marten Taha’s lawsuit regarding the reduction of his term has been granted by the Constitutional Court (MK).
Marten filed the lawsuit, feeling aggrieved by Article 201 paragraph 5 of the Regional Election Law. This article stipulates that the term of office resulting from the 2018 Regional Election extends until 2023.
However, Marten was inaugurated in 2019, resulting in a shortened term ranging from 2 to 6 months. The petition was eventually granted by the Constitutional Court.
“Article 201 paragraph 5 of the Regional Election Law states, ‘Governors and Vice Governors, Regents and Deputy Regents, as well as Mayors and Deputy Mayors elected and inaugurated in 2018, hold office until 2023. Governors and Vice Governors, Regents and Deputy Regents, as well as Mayors and Deputy Mayors elected in 2018, inaugurated in 2019, hold office for 5 years starting from the inauguration date, as long as it does not exceed 1 month before the simultaneous national voting in 2024’,” said MK Chairman, Dr. Suhartoyo, as quoted from detik.com, Thursday (21/12/2023).
In deciding the lawsuit, the Constitutional Court cited several reasons. The transitional regulation related to simultaneous voting cannot overlook regulations regarding the inauguration of regional heads and their deputies.
“Thus, the regulation on simultaneous voting must be accompanied by norms governing simultaneous inauguration,” said Deputy Chairman of MK, Saldi Isra.
With this decision, Marten Taha’s term as mayor will end on June 2, 2024.
In addition to Marten, there are also governors and mayors who joined the lawsuit against the Regional Election Law.
They include the Deputy Governor of East Java, Emil Dardak, Mayor of Bogor Bima Arya, Governor of Maluku Murad Ismail, Deputy Mayor of Bogor Dedie A Rachim, Mayor of Padang Hendri Septa, and Mayor of Tarakan Khairul. (*)
Author: Rendi Wardani Fathan
