slot depo 1k

slot gacor

demo slot

slot

slot gacor

slot gacor

sbobet

mahjong ways

slot depo 5k

sbobet


DOI: https://doi.org/10.14710/jhp.13.1.1-27

STRENGTHENING DEMOCRACY: THE ROLE OF ELECTORAL JUSTICE AND THE ELECTION SUPERVISORY BOARD IN ENSURING FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS IN INDONESIA

*Ali Umar Harahap  -  Faculty of Law, Universitas Jakarta, Indonesia

Citation Format:
Abstract

The general election is an essential manifestation of constitutional democracy practised in many countries, including Indonesia. Democracy, originating from the Greek term “rule by the people,” is understood in modern thought as a representative system in which representatives are chosen through free, competitive elections. A democratic election must adhere to universally accepted principles, such as being direct, universal, free, secret, honest, and fair. The electoral justice system, a key instrument of the rule of law, ensures the proper enforcement of these principles by resolving disputes fairly and promptly. Its design is integral to the legitimacy and credibility of elections, reflecting the socio-cultural and political context in which it operates. The system must be guided by values and norms, ensuring the independence and impartiality of election administration, transparency, accessibility, inclusivity, and the right to an effective remedy for violations. Election law enforcement is crucial for maintaining the credibility of elections, providing legal certainty, and fostering trust in the election process. This research explores the Election Supervisory Board’s role in resolving electoral disputes through quasi-judicial mechanisms. It examines the legal framework for resolving election-related disputes, emphasising the importance of an effective electoral justice system in maintaining free and fair elections. The research method involves doctrinal legal analysis, focusing on laws and regulations, particularly Law No. 7 of 2017 on General Elections. By examining adjudication processes and administrative efforts in electoral disputes, the study highlights the evolving role of the Election Supervisory Board in strengthening Indonesia's democratic processes. It concludes that a well-designed electoral justice system is fundamental to ensuring democratic integrity and public trust in election outcomes.

Fulltext View|Download Email colleagues
Keywords: Electoral Justice; Election Disputes; Election Supervisory Board; Democracy; Legal Framework

Article Metrics:

Article Info
Section: Articles
Language : EN
Most cited articles
Arsenal Hukum Progresif Hukum Progresif: Hukum yang Membebaskan Pembangunan Hukum Negara dalam Masyarakat Multikultural: Perspektif Hukum Progresif More cited articles
  1. Alkan, Yavuz Selim. ‘Representative Democracy and the Concept of Representation: Do They Have a Legitimizing or Checking Function?’ Stratejik ve Sosyal Araştırmalar Dergisi 5, no. 3 (2021): 441–53. https://doi.org/10.30692/sisad.992529
  2. Anderson, Cameron D., and Laura Beth Stephenson. What Is Democracy and How Do We Study It? University of Toronto Press, 2021. https://doi.org/10.3138/9781487588571
  3. Arifin, Firdaus, Ihsanul Maarif, Bunyamin Bunyamin, Robi Asadul Bahri, and Anastasia Wahyu Murbani. ‘Reforming Indonesia’s Electoral System: Legal and Policy Considerations’. Jambe Law Journal 8, no. 1 (2025): 61–99
  4. Arifin, Firdaus, Ihsanul Maarif, Cece Suryana, Taty Sugiarti, and Anastasia Wahyu Murbani. ‘Institutional Configuration and Competence of the Special Judiciary for Regional Election Disputes: A Comparative Study and Prospects for Implementation’. Jambura Law Review 7, no. 2 (2025): 493–520. https://doi.org/10.33756/jlr.v7i2.30949
  5. Arifin, Ridwan. ‘Legal Protection and Law Enforcement: The Unfinished Works’. Indonesian Journal of Advocacy and Legal Services 2, no. 1 (2020): 1–4. https://doi.org/10.15294/ijals.v2i1.22862
  6. Bagja, Rahmat, Saldi Isra, I. Dewa Gede Palguna, Khairul Fahmi, and Souad Ahmed Ezzerouali. ‘Towards Electoral Justice: Redesigning an Ideal System for Enforcing Electoral Administrative Law in Indonesia?’ Jambe Law Journal 8, no. 2 (2025): 781–814. https://doi.org/10.22437/9et5k513
  7. Bedner, Adiaan. Administrative Courts in Indonesia: A Socio-Legal Study. Brill | Nijhoff, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004481992
  8. Beever, Allan. ‘Aristotle on Equity, Law, and Justice’. Legal Theory 10, no. 1 (2004): 33–50. Cambridge Core. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1352325204000163
  9. Bhat, P. Ishwara. Idea and Methods of Legal Research. Oxford University Press, 2019
  10. Butt, Simon. ‘Provincial Asymmetry in Indonesia: What Is so “Special” About It? A Country Study of Constitutional Asymmetry in Indonesia’. In Constitutional Asymmetry in Multinational Federalism: Managing Multinationalism in Multi-Tiered Systems, edited by Patricia Popelier and Maja Sahadžić. Springer International Publishing, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-11701-6_9
  11. Butt, Simon. The Constitutional Court and Democracy in Indonesia. Brill | Nijhoff, 2015
  12. Butt, Simon, and Tim Lindsey. The Constitution of Indonesia: A Contextual Analysis. Bloomsbury Publishing, 2012
  13. Butt, Simon, and Fritz Siregar. ‘Multilayered Oversight: Electoral Administration in Indonesia’. Asian Journal of Comparative Law 16, no. S1 (2021): S121–35. Cambridge Core. https://doi.org/10.1017/asjcl.2021.32
  14. Chambers, Simone. ‘Democracy, Popular Sovereignty, and Constitutional Legitimacy’. Constellations 11, no. 2 (2004): 153–73. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1351-0487.2004.0370.x
  15. Chroust, Anton-Hermann, and David L. Osborn. ‘Aristotle’s Conception of Justice’. Notre Dame Law Review 17, no. 2 (1942): 129–43. https://scholarship.law.nd.edu/ndlr/vol17/iss2/2/
  16. Clegg, Stewart. ‘Power, Legitimacy, and Authority’. In Routledge International Handbook of Contemporary Social and Political Theory. Routledge, 2011
  17. Collins, Harry, Robert Evans, Darrin Durant, and Martin Weinel. ‘What Is Democracy?’ In Experts and the Will of the People: Society, Populism and Science, edited by Harry Collins, Robert Evans, Darrin Durant, and Martin Weinel. Springer International Publishing, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-26983-8_3
  18. Collyer, Michael. ‘Inside Out? Directly Elected “Special Representation” of Emigrants in National Legislatures and the Role of Popular Sovereignty’. Political Geography 41 (July 2014): 64–73. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polgeo.2014.01.002
  19. Crouch, Melissa. ‘The Limits of Transformational Authoritarian Constitutions: The Indonesian Experience’. In Constitutional Democracy in Indonesia, edited by Melissa Crouch. Oxford University Press, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780192870681.003.0001
  20. Efendi, Sumardi, Anisah Anisah, Mursyida Wara, and Nur Okta Trisiyah. ‘Absolute Authority Of Bawaslu In Handling Election Violations Post The Determination Of The National Results’. Istifham: Journal Of Islamic Studies, 2023, 121–31. https://doi.org/10.71039/istifham.v1i2.20
  21. Espejo, Paulina Ochoa. The Time of Popular Sovereignty: Process and the Democratic State. Penn State Press, 2011
  22. Feith, Herbert. The Decline of Constitutional Democracy in Indonesia. An Equinox Classic Indonesia Book. Equinox Publishing, 2006
  23. Fijnaut, Cyrille J. C. F., and Leo Huberts. Corruption, Integrity and Law Enforcement. Brill | Nijhoff, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004481213
  24. Fitrada, Azzahra. ‘Absolute Competence of the State Administrative Court over Onrechtmatige Overheidsdaad Disputes in Indonesia’s 2024 Election’. Law Research Review Quarterly 12, no. 2 (2026). https://doi.org/10.15294/lrrq.v12i2.42450
  25. Fuller, Lon L. The Morality of Law. Yale University Press, 1969. JSTOR. http://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt1cc2mds
  26. Golder, Matt. ‘Democratic Electoral Systems Around the World, 1946–2000’. Electoral Studies 24, no. 1 (2005): 103–21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electstud.2004.02.008
  27. Goodwin-Gill, Guy S. Free and Fair Elections. Inter-Parliamentary Union, 2006
  28. Hadjon, Philipus M., Sri Soemantri Martosoewignjo, Sjachran Basah, et al. Pengantar Hukum Administrasi Indonesia. Gadjah Mada University Press, 2005
  29. Harahap, Ali Umar, Achmad Busro, Ery Agus Priyono, and Benny Sumardiana. ‘Legal Framework for Resolving Election Violations in Indonesia: Towards Electoral Justice’. Indonesian Journal of Criminal Law Studies 10, no. 2 (2025): 985–1014. https://doi.org/10.15294/ijcls.v10i2.24541
  30. Haugaard, Mark. ‘What Is Authority?’ Journal of Classical Sociology 18, no. 2 (2018): 104–32. https://doi.org/10.1177/1468795X17723737
  31. Indrayana, Denny. Indonesian Constitutional Reform, 1999-2002: An Evaluation of Constitution-Making in Transition. Penerbit Buku Kompas, 2008
  32. Isakhan, Benjamin, and Stephen Stockwell. ‘Introduction: Democracy and History’. In The Secret History of Democracy, edited by Benjamin Isakhan and Stephen Stockwell. Palgrave Macmillan UK, 2011. https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230299467_1
  33. Issacharoff, Samuel, and Laura Miller. ‘Democracy and Electoral Processes’. In Research Handbook on Public Choice and Public Law. Edward Elgar Publishing, 2010. https://doi.org/10.4337/9781849804899.00013
  34. Jones, Andrew J. I., and Marek Sergot. ‘A Formal Characterisation of Institutionalised Power’. Logic Journal of the IGPL 4, no. 3 (1996): 427–43. https://doi.org/10.1093/jigpal/4.3.427
  35. Kasfir, Nelson. ‘Popular Sovereignty and Popular Participation: Mixed Constitutional Democracy in the Third World’. Third World Quarterly 13, no. 4 (1992): 587–605. https://doi.org/10.1080/01436599208420299
  36. Kelsen, Hans. ‘Foundations of Democracy’. Ethics 66, nos 1, Part 2 (1955): 1–101. https://doi.org/10.1086/291036
  37. Kusdarini, Eny, Anang Priyanto, Sri Hartini, and Suripno Suripno. ‘Roles of Justice Courts: Settlement of General Election Administrative Disputes in Indonesia’. Heliyon 8, no. 12 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e11932
  38. Lijphart, Arend. ‘Democracies: Forms, Performance, and Constitutional Engineering’. European Journal of Political Research 25, no. 1 (1994): 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-6765.1994.tb01198.x
  39. Long, James D. ‘Protecting Electoral Integrity in Emerging Democracies’. In Introduction to Development Engineering: A Framework with Applications from the Field, edited by Temina Madon, Ashok J. Gadgil, Richard Anderson, Lorenzo Casaburi, Kenneth Lee, and Arman Rezaee. Springer International Publishing, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-86065-3_18
  40. Madril, Oce. ‘The Authority of Administrative Court in Settling the Disputes Over Election Process in Indonesia’. Yustisia 8, no. 3 (2020): 365–88. https://jurnal.uns.ac.id/yustisia/article/view/35553
  41. Marbun, Syahrudin Fahmi. Peradilan Administrasi Negara Dan Upaya Administratif Di Indonesia. FH UII Press, 2011
  42. Martitah, Arif Hidayat, Rahayu Fery Anitasari, Malik Akbar Mulki Rahman, and Triska Rahmatul Aini. ‘Transformation of the Legislative System in Indonesia Based on the Principles of Good Legislation’. Journal of Indonesian Legal Studies 8, no. 2 (2023): 545–94. https://doi.org/10.15294/jils.v8i2.69262
  43. Mathie, William. ‘Political and Distributive Justice in the Political Science of Aristotle’. The Review of Politics 49, no. 1 (1987): 59–84. Cambridge Core. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0034670500044302
  44. MD, Moh Mahfud. Politik Hukum Di Indonesia. Cetakan ke-10. Raja Grafindo Persada, 2020
  45. Niode, Burhan, Magdalena Wullur, Johnly Pengemanan, and Yukbel Piter. ‘The Role of the General Election Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) in Handling Vote Shifts in the 2024 General Elections’. Journal of Law, Politic and Humanities 6, no. 2 (2026): 1315–22. https://doi.org/10.38035/jlph.v6i2.2850
  46. Norris, Pippa. ‘Challenges in Electoral Integrity’. In Routledge Handbook of Election Law. Routledge, 2022
  47. Orozco-Henríquez, Jesús, Ayman Ayoub, and Andrew Ellis. Electoral Justice: The International IDEA Handbook. International IDEA, 2010. https://www.idea.int/publications/catalogue/electoral-justice-international-idea-handbook
  48. Pambudi, Lintang Ario, Rani Hendriana, Weda Kupita, and Umi Khaerah Pati. ‘The Contrarius Actus Principle: Legal Challenges and Prospects for Reform in Executing Administrative Court Decisions’. Journal of Law and Legal Reform 6, no. 2 (2025): 783–812. https://doi.org/10.15294/jllr.v6i2.19655
  49. Pasaribu, David, Irene Cristna Silalahi, and Selviana Purba. ‘Cumulation of Lawsuits Between Administrative Decisions and Factual Actions in Administrative Court Decisions’. Jurnal Hukum Dan Peradilan 14, no. 2 (2025): 459–94. https://doi.org/10.25216/jhp.14.2.2025.459-494
  50. Peonidis, Filimon. Democracy as Popular Sovereignty. Bloomsbury Publishing, 2013
  51. Prasetyo, Dwi. ‘Empowering the Election Supervisory Agency: Enforcement of Law Number 7 of 2017 on General Elections’. Constitutionale 3, no. 2 (2022): 103–18. https://doi.org/10.25041/constitutionale.v3i2.2745
  52. Purwanto, Budi, Dina Puji Wahyuni, and Ahmad Rafiq Jatihusudo. ‘Unmasking Electoral Turmoil: The General Election Supervisory Agency’s Battle Against Disputes in Indonesia’s Democracy’. Indonesian State Law Review 6, no. 1 (2023): 23–52. https://doi.org/10.15294/islrev.v6i1.68228
  53. Raden, Sahran. ‘The Adjudication Function of the Election Supervisory Body (ESB) in Realizing Election Justice’. International Journal Papier Public Review 2, no. 4 (2021): 9–19. https://doi.org/10.47667/ijppr.v2i4.105
  54. Raden, Sahran. ‘The Theory of Fairness with Integrity in Indonesia’s Electoral Justice System’. Fiat Justisia: Jurnal Ilmu Hukum 18, no. 2 (2024): 185–202. https://doi.org/10.25041/fiatjustisia.v18no2.3432
  55. Rahardjo, Satjipto. Ilmu Hukum. PT. Citra Aditya Bakti, 2000
  56. Setyowati, Hesti, and M. Harris S. Toengkagie. ‘Introduction to The Indonesian Legal System: Major Developments in the Past Decade’. Yearbook of Islamic and Middle Eastern Law Online (Leiden, The Netherlands) 13, no. 1 (2006): 57–72. https://doi.org/10.1163/22112987-91000163
  57. Siboy, Ahmad, Sholahuddin Al-Fatih, Virga Dwi Efendi, and Nur Putri Hidayah. ‘The Effectiveness of Administrative Efforts in Reducing State Administration Disputes’. Journal of Human Rights, Culture and Legal System 2, no. 1 (2022): 14–30. https://doi.org/10.53955/jhcls.v2i1.23
  58. Siddiq, Md. Abu Bakar, and Md. Shamim Ahmed. ‘Revisiting the Constitutional and Human Rights Law Mandates for Fair Elections in Bangladesh: A Quest for Democratization’. Social Sciences & Humanities Open 13 (June 2026): 102393. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssaho.2025.102393
  59. Singaruju, Rayendra Erwin Moeslimin. ‘Establishment of a General Election Court System in Indonesia’. Prophetic Law Review 4, no. 1 (2022): 48–69. https://doi.org/10.20885/PLR.vol4.iss1.art3
  60. Singh, Bilveer. ‘The Indonesian Electoral System’. In The Indonesian Presidency, vol. 3. World Scientific Series on International Relations and Comparative Politics in Southeast Asia. World Scientific, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1142/9789811296901_0003
  61. Siregar, Fritz. ‘Election Supervision in Indonesia: Options for Reforming the General Election Supervisory Agency’. In Constitutional Democracy in Indonesia, edited by Melissa Crouch. Oxford University Press, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780192870681.003.0008
  62. Soemitro, Rochmat. Masalah Peradilan Administrasi Dalam Hukum Pajak Di Indonesia. Eresco, 1976
  63. Soemitro, Rochmat. Naskah Singkat Tentang Peradilan Administrasi Di Indonesia. Bina Cipta, 1997
  64. Surbakti, Ramlan. ‘Partisipasi Masyarakat Di Pemilu’. Kompas.Com, 30 July 2014. https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2014/07/30/14413851/Partisipasi.Masyarakat.di.Pemilu
  65. Suroso, Fajar L. ‘The Possibility of Vice-Presidents’ Authority Arrangement in the 1945 Constitution through Constitutional Amendment’. Hasanuddin Law Review 1, no. 1 (2015): 130–51. https://doi.org/10.20956/halrev.v1i1.220
  66. Thompson, Dennis F. Just Elections: Creating a Fair Electoral Process in the United States. University of Chicago Press, 2004
  67. Triningsih, Anna, and Nuzul Qur’aini Mardiya. ‘An Analysis of Subjectum Litis and Objectum Litis on Dispute about the Authority of State Institution from the Verdicts of the Constitutional Court’. Constitutional Review 3, no. 2 (2017): 232–61. https://doi.org/10.31078/consrev325
  68. Urbinati, Nadia, and Mark E. Warren. ‘The Concept of Representation in Contemporary Democratic Theory’. In Annual Review of Political Science, vol. 11. Annual Reviews, 2008. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.polisci.11.053006.190533
  69. Wardhani, Lita Tyesta Addy Listya, Muhammad Dzikirullah H. Noho, and Aga Natalis. ‘The Adoption of Various Legal Systems in Indonesia: An Effort to Initiate the Prismatic Mixed Legal Systems’. Cogent Social Sciences 8, no. 1 (2022): 2104710. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311886.2022.2104710
  70. Weinrib, Ernest J. ‘Aristotle’s Forms of Justice’. Ratio Juris 2, no. 3 (1989): 211–26. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9337.1989.tb00039.x
  71. Woods, Philip A. ‘Authority, Power and Distributed Leadership’. Management in Education 30, no. 4 (2016): 155–60. https://doi.org/10.1177/0892020616665779
  72. Yack, Bernard. ‘Natural Right and Aristotle’s Understanding of Justice’. Political Theory 18, no. 2 (1990): 216–37. https://doi.org/10.1177/0090591790018002002
  73. Yulius, and Yos Johan Utama. ‘Optimizing the Role of State Administrative Court Decisions in State Financial Recovery’. Law Reform 20, no. 1 (n.d.): 34–53. https://doi.org/10.14710/lr.v20i1.61779
  74. Zarkasi, A., Firmansyah Putra, and Dinda syufradian Putra. ‘Indonesia’s 2024 Election: Constitutional Court Perspectives on Electoral Violations’. Sriwijaya Law Review, 2025, 372–98. https://doi.org/10.28946/slrev.v9i2.4584

Last update:

No citation recorded.

Last update: 2026-03-05 11:54:22

No citation recorded.