Public Trust as a Measure of Democratic Legitimacy: Electoral Governance in Indonesia

Authors

Siti Mariyam Universitas 17 Agustus 1945 Semarang, Semarang
Girang Fitria Pratiwi Universitas Terbuka, Bengkulu

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54518/ldi.4.1.2026.1430

Keywords:

Democratic Legitimacy, Electoral Governance, Electoral Accountability, Political Participation, Public Trust

Abstract

Public trust serves as a critical indicator of democratic legitimacy because it directly influences citizens’ confidence in electoral institutions, constitutional governance, and democratic processes. This study examines public trust as a measure of democratic legitimacy in Indonesia using a normative juridical research method. Utilizing both a statutory approach and a conceptual approach, the analysis focuses on primary legal materials, notably Law No. 7 of 2017 on General Elections and Article 25 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), alongside secondary legal materials comprising legal literature, jurisprudence, and scholarly doctrines. The normative legal findings demonstrate that institutional transparency, statutory accountability, procedural electoral fairness, and robust guarantees of political rights are essential legal parameters that reinforce public trust and democratic legitimacy within Indonesia's constitutional framework. However, operational and socio-legal challenges, such as information manipulation, acute political polarization, and recurring electoral disputes, continue to test public confidence in the electoral system. The study concludes that enhancing legal certainty, strengthening institutional enforcement, and reforming electoral governance frameworks are indispensable imperatives for preserving democratic legitimacy, safeguarding citizens' constitutional rights, and sustaining democratic stability in Indonesia.

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Published

2026-06-25

How to Cite

Mariyam, S., & Pratiwi, G. F. (2026). Public Trust as a Measure of Democratic Legitimacy: Electoral Governance in Indonesia . Law and Democracy Insight, 4(1), 44–66. https://doi.org/10.54518/ldi.4.1.2026.1430