The Implications of the Empty Box Phenomenon in Regional Head Elections in Indonesia on Political Participation

Aprista Ristyawati 1, Yos Johan Utama 2,

& Lita Tyesta A.L.W 3

https://doi.org/10.62271/pjc.16.4.1189.1197

Abstract

Democracy in Indonesia, characterized by periodic elections, grants the people the right to choose leaders at various levels of government. Despite significant transitions since the 1998 reform, challenges in the implementation of democracy, such as the empty box phenomenon in regional head elections (Pilkada), persist. This phenomenon refers to situations where no qualified candidates are proposed, which can affect public political participation. This study aims to analyze the implications of the empty box phenomenon on political participation and the efforts that can be made to address it. The method used is normative legal research with a legislative and conceptual approach, as well as descriptive analysis of secondary data. The results indicate that the empty box can decrease political participation, trigger social conflict, and hinder regional development. Efforts to address this phenomenon include improving candidate quality, involving the community in the nomination process, and educating voters. With these measures, it is hoped that public political participation can increase and the quality of regional head elections can be maintained.

Keywords: Empty Box; Regional Head Elections; Political Participation.