Jakarta. The Constitutional Court (MK) has scheduled the reading of the verdict for the 2024 presidential election dispute on Monday. This verdict will mark the conclusion of the electoral process ahead of the inauguration of the elected president and vice president in October.

President-elect Prabowo Subianto and his running mate, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, are currently facing challenges from defeated candidates Anies Baswedan and Ganjar Pranowo, who have petitioned the court to annul the election result and order a revote.

The plaintiffs have alleged widespread election fraud and raised questions about the legality of Gibran's candidacy as Prabowo's running mate. Both Anies and Ganjar have demanded the disqualification of Prabowo and Gibran, who is President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo's oldest son, in the event of a redo election.

Otto Hasibuan, Deputy Chair of the Prabowo-Gibran Defense Team, said that Prabowo Subianto has invited all parties, including supporters and around 96 million Prabowo-Gibran voters, to respect the Constitutional Court's decision regarding the presidential election dispute.

"We are ready to win, ready to lose. Mr. Prabowo has always been gentle in his approach, so there will be no commotion. Whoever is declared the winner, we must respect it," Otto said on Monday.

"Mr. Prabowo asks for calm, to respect all parties, to respect the Constitutional Court's decision, whatever it may be. There should be no volunteers taking to the streets; everyone should respect the Constitutional Court's decision," he added.

He expressed optimism that the court would reject the lawsuits filed by Anies and Ganjar. Otto said that the Constitutional Court's decision would provide certainty regarding the results of the 2024 Presidential Election.

"When there's a decision from the Constitutional Court, it's final and binding. This is the end of the electoral process," Otto said.

"We're waiting for October for the inauguration of the new president," he added.

The Jakarta Metro Police have deployed 7,783 personnel to secure the hearing.

Accompanied by his legal team, Presidential candidate Ganjar Pranowo arrived at the Constitutional Court building in Jakarta around 08:00 a.m. Jakarta time. According to Ganjar, he greatly respects and adheres to the constitution, and they will follow the court's decision.

"The legal team has prepared everything. Our task today is to listen to the decision," he added

The Court's spokesperson, Fajar Laksono, said that the results of the deliberation meeting involving eight constitutional judges had been conducted before the trial. Anwar Usman, one of the constitutional judges, did not attend the meeting because he was found to have committed serious ethical violations. 

Anwar Usman is Gibran's uncle. The chief justice was later removed from his position following an ethics tribunal finding him guilty of serious violations of ethics and good conduct. However, the ruling stands, and Gibran became a running mate for Prabowo in October.

Gibran, aged 37, became eligible to contest only after the Court amended a regulation requiring presidential or vice-presidential candidates to be at least 40 years old. The court made an exception for candidates who have served or are serving in elected public offices, thereby making Gibran, the elected mayor of Solo, eligible to contest.

Anies Baswedan and Ganjar Pranowo alleged that social aid distribution was intensified before the Feb. 14 election to sway voters in favor of Prabowo, the current defense minister who was perceived to have the full support of the president.

Four ministers, namely Finance Minister Sri Mulyani, Chief Economic Minister Airlangga Hartarto, Social Affairs Minister Tri Rismaharini, and Coordinating Minister for Human Development Muhadjir Effendy, have denied the allegations.

Sri Mulyani said the social aid program was included in the state budget approved by the government and the House of Representatives on Oct. 16, 2023, before the announcement of presidential candidates by the General Election Commission.

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