Hardianto Hawing, Irwan Alim, Nursaleh Hartaman

Political Constellation in Shaping Voter Preferences: Case Study of the 2024 Makassar Mayoral Election

Introduction

Political constellation in shaping voter preferences: case study of the 2024 makassar mayoral election . Analyze 2024 Makassar Mayoral Election voter preferences, influenced by political coalitions, candidate image, and transactional politics. Notes low 57.7% turnout, stressing local democratic challenges.

Abstract

The 2024 Makassar Mayoral Election is part of Indonesia's nationwide simultaneous local elections (Pilkada), which garners significant attention due to the city’s unique and dynamic political context. This study aims to analyze the political preferences of Makassar residents during the 2024 election using a qualitative case study approach. The research data were obtained from official government institutions, such as the General Elections Commission and the Makassar City Government, along with various online media platforms. The findings reveal that voter preferences are shaped by multiple interrelated factors, political party coalitions, the public image of candidates, key campaign issues, and the persistence of transactional politics. A particularly notable finding is the relatively low voter turnout, recorded at only 57.7%, which is below both the national target and the participation rate of previous elections.This study confirms that political preferences in Makassar are driven by the interplay of candidate personality traits and the local socio-political environment. It highlights the continuing influence of patron-client relationships and money politics, alongside emerging patterns of issue-based and image-based voting. These insights underscore the importance of strengthening political education and enhancing electoral integrity to improve democratic quality at the local level in future elections

Review

This paper presents a timely and relevant analysis of voter preferences in the 2024 Makassar Mayoral Election, situating it within Indonesia's broader simultaneous local elections. Employing a qualitative case study methodology, the research effectively identifies a complex interplay of factors, including political party coalitions, candidate image, key campaign issues, and the enduring influence of transactional politics, as central to shaping electoral choices. A particularly significant finding is the notably low voter turnout, recorded at 57.7%, which critically underscores challenges to local democratic participation and engagement. The study's strength lies in its nuanced exploration of both persistent and emerging patterns in voter behavior. By confirming the continuing influence of patron-client relationships and money politics alongside the rise of issue-based and image-based voting, the paper offers a comprehensive perspective on the evolving dynamics of local elections in Indonesia. However, while the abstract indicates a qualitative approach, a clearer articulation of specific qualitative data collection methods, beyond general references to government institutions and online media, would further enhance the methodological transparency and perceived depth of the case study. This would strengthen the direct linkage between the data sources and the rich qualitative insights presented. Ultimately, this research makes a valuable contribution to the scholarship on local elections and democratic quality in Southeast Asia. The insights garnered from Makassar, a city with a dynamic political context, provide important lessons regarding the complex interplay of candidate personality and socio-political environment in shaping electoral outcomes. The paper's concluding emphasis on the necessity of strengthening political education and enhancing electoral integrity offers crucial policy recommendations, highlighting its practical relevance for improving democratic processes not only in Makassar but also in other local contexts facing similar challenges.

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