Indigenous Belief Adherents in the Electoral Arena: Candidacy, Political Platforms, and Barriers to Participation in the 2019 and 2024 Elections

Abstract

This article examines the political participation of penghayat kepercayaan in electoral competition following Constitutional Court Decision No. 97/PUU-XIV/2016. Integrating democratic inclusion theory with a multi-dimensional citizenship politics framework, the study investigates three dimensions: the candidacy phenomenon, the political platforms pursued, and the factors underlying most candidates' electoral failure. A qualitative explanatory case study design was employed, drawing on in-depth interviews and document analysis. The findings demonstrate that formal recognition via the Constitutional Court ruling has not translated into substantive citizenship in the electoral domain. Of the candidates identified across the 2019 and 2024 elections, only Tony Hatmoko is confirmed as elected to a legislative seat in the post-ruling period, through PKB in Karanganyar Regency in 2024. Electoral failure stems from a compound of structural, cultural, and political barriers: a de facto citizenship hierarchy produced by Indonesia's system of religious governance; the paradox of democracy weaponised by religious identity politics; the limited political capital of candidates from a historically marginalised minority; the absence of electoral incentives for mainstream politicians to champion their interests; and deep path dependency within state religious governance institutions. This article contributes to scholarship on minority citizenship politics and differentiated citizenship in emerging democracies.