The Challenges for Indonesia’s Electoral Institution in Facing Cartelization and Oligarchs Politics
Tantangan Badan Pemilu Indonesia dalam Menghadapi era Kartelisasi dan Oligarki Politik
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.36982/jpp.v11i4.7535Keywords:
Party Cartelization, Political Oligarchy, Electoral Governance, AccountabilityAbstract
Purpose : This study aims to analyze how the interaction between party cartelization and political oligarchy operates within Indonesia’s electoral institutional structure, and how it affects the independence, accountability, and transparency of electoral management bodies (KPU and Bawaslu). Using the 2024 election as the case context, this study further seeks to formulate a collaborative accountability model to address these structural challenges.
Design/methodology : This qualitative document-based case analysis draws on legal documents, institutional reports, civil society reports, and academic literature. Following Tracy’s qualitative research framework, the data were analyzed through interpretive thematic analysis within a political economy and power theory framework.
Findings : The analysis reveals that cartelization and oligarchy are institutionalized through exclusionary electoral thresholds, weak campaign finance accountability, politicized commissioner selection, and budgetary dependence. These mechanisms systematically erode the independence of electoral institutions and weaken oversight over complex electoral violations.
Practical Implication : The “Democratic Middle Way” model, operationalized through a Multi-Stakeholder Electoral Integrity Forum (F-MIP), offers a practical blueprint for collaborative electoral oversight without immediate statutory overhaul.
Originality/value : This article connects party cartelization, political oligarchy, and electoral governance, providing a collaborative accountability framework to strengthen electoral integrity in transitional democracies.
Paper type : Conceptual Paper
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