<![CDATA[This research focuses on researching the construction of political identity carried out by the Banda Aceh mayoral candidate, Illiza Sa'aduddin Djamal, through the use of religious, local, and visual symbols when conducting an election campaign for the Banda Aceh City region in 2024. The approach used in this study is quantitative with a survey method using secondary data from 130 respondents in the Baiturrahman District who were selected through the proportionate stratified random sampling technique. This study aims to examine how religious symbols such as the chanting of the Badr prayer, the use of traditional musical instruments, Acehnese traditional clothing, and regional languages function as important instruments in shaping the construction of Illiza's political identity. The results of the study show that the construction of Illiza's political identity is built through: (1) religious identity that places candidates as a representation of Islamic values, (2) cultural identity that associates candidates with the cultural heritage and history of Acehnese women's struggles, and (3) self-visualization of candidates through attractive displays to attract youth groups. Based on the findings of the study, it shows that religious, local culture, and visual symbols are used as ornaments during campaigns that aim to attract public sympathy and trust towards Illiza. The use of symbols in the campaign received a positive response from the people of Banda Aceh City. Gen Z is interested in the visual symbols used by the Illiza-Afdhal candidate pair through uniquely designed billboards and banners, the use of campaign clothes with bright colors, and matching. Meanwhile, the elderly group is interested in the cultural and religious symbols used by Illiza-Afdhal during the campaign through religious tausiah, shalawat badar, and the use of traditional musical instruments that characterize the peculiarities of local culture.]]>
