Judges proofing verdict for key announcement

With a verdict due Wednesday on the presidential election dispute, the judges at the Constitutional Court are still debating the decision they have already reached.

Constitutional Court chief Mahfud M.D. said Tuesday at a press conference the judges “have been debating for four straight days and nights to reach a final verdict, especially to proof our judgment”.

“But the debates have only taken place within the confines of the judges’ assembly and never outside the room,” he said, adding they had reached the verdict in the case.

The judges initiated the debate so that they would not influence one another in reaching a decision.

On Wednesday, the court will read out its verdict, following weeks of hearings to listen to testimony and review evidence submitted by the campaign teams of failed presidential candidates Megawati Soekarnoputri and Jusuf Kalla, who are challenging the General Elections Commission’s (KPU) decision to declare President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono the winner of the July 8 election. (adh)