Implementation of Regional Head Elections with a Single Candidate in the Perspective of Democratic Principles Based on Article 18 Paragraph (4) of the 1945 Constitution
Keywords:
Democracy Election Law Constitutional Court Regional Head Elections Single CandidateAbstract
This abstract discusses the constitutional implications of the implementation of regional head elections with a single candidate in Indonesia. Normatively, Article 18 paragraph (4) of the 1945 Constitution states that governors, district heads, and mayors are elected democratically. However, in practice, the phenomenon of single candidates arises due to limited nominations from political parties so that voters do not have alternative candidate pairs. This study aims to analyze the suitability of regional head elections with a single candidate to the democratic principles guaranteed by the constitution, especially after the Constitutional Court Decision Number 100/PUU-XIII/2015 which allows the implementation of regional elections in conditions where there is only one candidate pair. The research method used is normative juridical with a statutory regulatory approach, a conceptual approach, and a case approach through a review of Constitutional Court decisions and related literature. The results of the study indicate that although legally permitted, the election of a single candidate has the potential to reduce the meaning of substantive democracy because the community's political choices are limited. However, the Constitutional Court considers that the prohibition of regional head elections in such conditions can actually create a government vacuum and legal uncertainty. Therefore, strengthening internal democracy in political parties and improving candidate nomination regulations are crucial to ensure that democratic principles are understood not only procedurally but also substantively in the implementation of regional elections.
Keywords: Democracy; Election Law; Constitutional Court; Regional Head Elections; Single Candidate
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