ENDLESS : International Journal of Future Studies
Vol. 9 No. 2 (2026): ENDLESS: International Journal of Future Studies

The Trajectory of Electoral Democracy: Legality, Systems, and the Development of Indonesian Election Outcomes

Muhammad Kevin Mulyawarman (Universitas Muhammadiyah Kalimantan Timur, Samarinda, Indonesia)
Muhammad Fasya Haifa (Universitas Muhammadiyah Kalimantan Timur, Samarinda, Indonesia)
Adi Gunawan GN (Universitas Muhammadiyah Kalimantan Timur, Samarinda, Indonesia)
Zulfiqri (Universitas Muhammadiyah Kalimantan Timur, Samarinda, Indonesia)
Elviandri (Universitas Muhammadiyah Kalimantan Timur, Samarinda, Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
03 Jul 2026

Abstract

Elections are a fundamental tool in a democratic system that serve to realize the rights of the people. This paper aims to examine the background and evolution of elections in Indonesia, including the legal basis, electoral system, organizing institutions, and election results over time. The approach used is a normative juridical approach with descriptive analysis of legislation and related scientific literature. The results of the discussion indicate that elections in Indonesia have experienced significant progress, starting from the 1955 election, which was considered the most democratic, then declining during the New Order era to become a tool for legitimizing power, until re-emerging as a competitive multiparty system after the 1998 reforms. Institutionally, the General Elections Commission (KPU), Elections Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu), and Elections Executive Board (DKPP) were designed as independent organizers, but still face integrity and capacity challenges. The implementation of an open proportional system and simultaneous elections brought democratic progress as well as new issues such as increased money politics and high technical burdens for election officials in the field. This paper recommends the need to strengthen election organizing institutions, reform the election system with a humanitarian perspective, and improve public political education to realize more transparent, accountable, and high-quality elections.

Copyrights © 2026






Journal Info

Abbrev

endless

Publisher

Subject

Economics, Econometrics & Finance Environmental Science Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering Law, Crime, Criminology & Criminal Justice

Description

Focus & Scope ENDLESS: International Journal of Futures Studies is a globally-oriented, trans-disciplinary refereed journal. Its mission is to develop high-quality, future-oriented research and thinking, based on the evolving knowledge base of Futures Studies / Foresight. The Journal’s approach ...