Money Politics and Corruption Risks in Indonesian Village Elections: Examining Vote-Buying and Local Governance Integrity
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65815/jby6sv18Keywords:
Money politics, village elections, vote-buying, corruption prevention, IndonesiaAbstract
Village elections provide an important mechanism for democratic participation at the grassroots level but may also create opportunities for vote-buying and informal political financing. The normalization of monetary exchanges during electoral processes can affect the legitimacy of village leadership and create expectations of reciprocal benefits after candidates assume office. This article examines the relationship between money politics in village elections and subsequent corruption risks in village governance. Using normative juridical and socio-legal analysis, the study evaluates village election regulation, campaign practices, community norms, and financial accountability. The article argues that vote-buying should be understood not merely as an electoral offense but also as a potential structural contributor to corruption because candidates may seek to recover campaign expenditures through control over village resources. The study proposes an integrated prevention framework combining electoral monitoring, transparent campaign financing, civic education, community reporting mechanisms, and stronger post-election financial oversight. The article concludes that combating village-level corruption requires addressing the political incentives that precede misuse of public resources. Strengthening democratic integrity at the village level can therefore serve as an important component of Indonesia's broader anti-corruption strategy.
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