<![CDATA[The Smart Village programme is a national policy to accelerate digital transformation in Indonesian villages and support the Sustainable Development Goals. Prior studies assessed readiness mainly through technological or economic indicators, neglecting the legal-political dimension of the pre-condition stage. This study examines Jedong Village’s readiness to enter the Smart Village pre-condition stage through public policy formulation and legal politics lenses. Using an empirical juridical method with a qualitative approach, data were collected via stakeholder interviews, legislation, policy documents, and literature, triangulated with village planning documents. Findings show Jedong Village has adequate infrastructure, internet, digital applications, and government commitment, but has not met mandatory pre-conditions under Ministerial Decree No. 55 of 2024: establishing Smart Village Cadres and a Village Digital Community Space. Applying Sahya Anggara’s policy-formulation framework reveals incomplete translation of national policy into local planning instruments; legal-politics framework and norm hierarchy show the absence of a Village Regulation to anchor the programme in binding local law. This study’s novelty lies in combining these theoretical lenses at the pre-condition stage, concluding that readiness alone is insufficient; coherent policy formulation and a dedicated Village Regulation are essential for legal certainty and sustainability, with recommendations offered for Jedong Village authorities.]]>
