Fenomena Swing Voters pada Pilkada Bukittinggi 2024 dalam Perspektif Siyasah Dusturiyah

Muhammad Irvan (Universitas Islam Negeri Sjech M. Djamil Djambek Bukittinggi)
Soraya Oktarina (Universitas Islam Negeri Sjech M. Djamil Djambek Bukittinggi)

Maqasid Forum
Vol. 1 No. 1 (2026): March 2026

This study aims to analyze the phenomenon of swing voters in the 2024 Bukittinggi Regional Head Election (Pilkada) from the perspective of Siyasah Dusturiyah (Islamic Constitutional Politics). Swing voters constitute a significant electoral group whose political preferences are dynamic and susceptible to change based on candidates’ performance, political issues, campaign strategies, and the information they receive throughout the electoral process. This research employs a qualitative method with an empirical juridical approach. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with election officials, campaign teams, community leaders, academics, and voters, complemented by field observations and documentation of statutory regulations, election commission reports, and relevant scholarly literature. The data were analyzed using data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing, while source triangulation was applied to ensure the validity and reliability of the findings. The results indicate that the voting behavior of swing voters in Bukittinggi is influenced by a combination of rational, sociological, and psychological factors. Candidates’ policy platforms, personal credibility, leadership track records, the influence of social media, family networks, and local socio-economic conditions emerged as the primary determinants of changing political preferences. From the perspective of Siyasah Dusturiyah, the behavior of swing voters reflects the constitutional freedom of citizens to choose their leaders, provided that such decisions are guided by the principles of maslahah (public interest), justice, trustworthiness (amanah), and moral responsibility. Furthermore, the principles of shūrā (consultation), accountability, and public welfare serve as normative foundations for ethical political participation. This study contributes to the development of Islamic constitutional law scholarship by enriching the understanding of voter behavior in local democratic elections and providing practical recommendations for election management bodies, political contestants, and local governments to strengthen political education, enhance democratic literacy, and promote more substantive, ethical, and integrity-based electoral competition.