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Film 'Dirty Vote' causes stir days before election
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A screengrab from the documentary film ‘Dirty Vote’. (The Jakarta Post/PSHK)
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117-minute documentary film titled Dirty Vote accusing President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo and his administration of partisanship in the lead-up to the general election has gained widespread attention and sparked controversy just ahead of voting day on Wednesday.
Directed by activist and filmmaker Dandhy Dwi Laksono, the movie alleges that Jokowi has been using state resources to swing the presidential election in favor of presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto and his running mate Gibran Rakabuming Raka, who is Jokowi’s eldest son.
Three constitutional law experts featured in the movie – Zainal Arifin Mochtar, Bivitri Susanti and Feri Amsari – said Jokowi had appointed his close aides as interim regional leaders in key provinces through a hazy selection process.
They accused his administration of disregarding the Constitutional Court’s order for the government to issue guidelines that would ensure the selection process was transparent and compliant with democratic principles.
Some of these interim leaders have been accused of tacitly backing Prabowo and Gibran while hampering the campaign activities of their rivals, despite a regulation that requires public officials to remain neutral in the election.
The issue with state partisanship did not stop at interim regional leaders, according to the film. Zainal, Bivitri and Feri also alleged that many of Jokowi's ministers had been supporting the Prabowo-Gibran ticket during their work trips and had been using the social media platforms of their ministries to declare their support for the pair.
The documentary also highlighted the ethics scandal surrounding last year’s controversial Constitutional Court ruling on presidential candidate eligibility requirements, a decision that paved the way for Gibran to run for vice president.
