The Importance of Customary Law in Guiding Indigenous Communities in General Elections an Islamic Legal Perspective

Reicer Sumarno Siregar (University of Northern Sumatra)

WiShEL
Vol. 1 No. 1 (2025): Walisongo Journal of Sharia Economic Law

This article examines the importance of customary law in guiding indigenous communities during general elections by integrating an Islamic legal perspective. Customary law functions as a normative framework that regulates communal behavior, strengthens social cohesion, and preserves traditional decision-making mechanisms within indigenous societies. In the context of elections, these customary norms play a crucial role in shaping political participation, maintaining harmony, and preventing conflict. From the viewpoint of Islamic law, the principles of ‘urf (custom), maslahah (public interest), and justice provide strong legitimating grounds for recognizing and accommodating indigenous customs within electoral governance, as long as they do not contradict fundamental Islamic values. By analyzing the intersection between customary law and Islamic jurisprudence, this study highlights how both normative systems can work synergistically to promote ethical electoral conduct, empower indigenous communities, and reinforce democratic integrity. The findings suggest that integrating Islamic legal principles with customary practices offers a culturally rooted and religiously justified foundation for enhancing electoral participation and safeguarding communal rights in pluralistic societies.