Democratic Party politician Benny Kabur Harman has opted out of the Constitutional Court (MK) justice race.
Benny on Monday failed to show up at the House of Representatives building to register for the race before the 4 p.m. deadline.
Democratic Party politician Ruhut Sitompul said that Benny’s decision reflected the party’s position on nominating politicians for the post.
“The regulation in lieu of law [Perppu] clearly states that candidates should not come from political parties,” Ruhut said.
The only justice candidate with a political background to sign up for the race prior to the deadline was United Development Party (PPP) lawmaker Dimyati Natakusumah.
The House previously supported a call to bar politicians from becoming court justices by endorsing the Perppu issued by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono shortly after the arrest of former chief justice Akil Mochtar over graft allegations.
Dimyati, Benny and Ahmad Yani, a lawmaker from the PPP have been touted as candidates.
Twelve candidates have signed up for the race.
