Iqbal Noer Arfah, Junaedi Junaedi, Nuryanti Mustari

Political Dynamics and Challenges of Local Elections 2024 in Bulukumba Regency, Indonesia

Introduction

Political dynamics and challenges of local elections 2024 in bulukumba regency, indonesia. Analyze political dynamics of Bulukumba's 2024 local elections. Explore candidate branding, party gatekeeping, incumbent dominance, and coalition engineering shaping electoral outcomes.

Abstract

This study analyzes political dynamics in Bulukumba Regency's 2024-2029 Simultaneous Regional Elections, examining candidate branding strategies, political party gatekeeping via B1-KWK recommendations (letter of mutual agreement), and comparative electoral patterns. A critical phenomenon emerged when party cadres were denied nominations by their own parties and defected to incumbent Andi Muhtar Ali Yusuf, revealing strategic loyalty fractures. Using a descriptive qualitative approach with in-depth interviews (N=25), direct observation, and document analysis, findings demonstrate: (1) incumbent dominance anchored by Muhtar’s branding as "Indonesia’s wealthiest regent" (LHKPN-reported assets: Rp 120 billion) and extensive patronage networks; (2) B1-KWK mechanisms enabling party fragmentation that nearly resulted in an uncontested election; and (3) intensified yet unequal competition after the last-minute registration of challengers Jamaluddin Samsir-Tomy Satria Yulianto (Golkar-NasDem-Hanura coalition). The research concludes that branding power, coalition engineering, and institutional gatekeeping converge to shape regional electoral outcomes, urging reforms to enhance political equity in Indonesia’s local democracies.

Review

This study, "Political Dynamics and Challenges of Local Elections 2024 in Bulukumba Regency, Indonesia," presents a timely and highly relevant analysis of contemporary regional electoral processes. The abstract immediately captures attention with its focus on critical phenomena such as candidate loyalty fractures, party gatekeeping mechanisms via B1-KWK recommendations, and the complex interplay of incumbent power and strategic coalition engineering. The descriptive qualitative approach, employing in-depth interviews, observation, and document analysis, appears robust and well-suited to uncover the nuanced political dynamics at play within this specific Indonesian context. The clear articulation of three key findings—incumbent dominance, the fragmenting effect of B1-KWK, and the last-minute scramble of challengers—promises a rich and insightful contribution to the understanding of local democracy in Indonesia. The findings highlighted in the abstract are particularly compelling. The incumbent's branding as "Indonesia’s wealthiest regent" (Rp 120 billion assets) and the associated extensive patronage networks offer a stark illustration of the role of economic power in shaping electoral outcomes, raising important questions about political equity and the level playing field in local elections. Equally significant is the revelation of the B1-KWK mechanism's potential to enable party fragmentation and nearly result in an uncontested election, underscoring systemic vulnerabilities within party institutionalization and candidate selection processes. The "strategic loyalty fractures" where party cadres were denied nominations and defected to the incumbent provide fascinating micro-level insights into party discipline, personal ambition, and the fluidity of political allegiances in a patronage-driven environment. Overall, this research promises to shed valuable light on the challenges facing Indonesia's local democracies. By meticulously detailing the convergence of branding power, coalition engineering, and institutional gatekeeping in Bulukumba, the study not only offers a comprehensive case analysis but also provides a platform for broader discussions on electoral reforms. The call for enhancing political equity resonates strongly, suggesting that the full paper will likely offer practical implications for policymakers and political parties striving to foster more competitive and democratic local elections across the archipelago. This appears to be a well-structured and impactful piece of research that will contribute significantly to the literature on Indonesian politics and comparative subnational elections.

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