The Legal Status of Acting Regional Heads in Indonesia as a Solution for Government Continuity in the Postponement of Regional Elections

Nabila Diara Putri; Irwan Triadi; M. Adnan Madjid

doi:10.55927/fjmr.v5i4.49

Authors

Nabila Diara Putri Universitas Pertahanan Republik Indonesia
Irwan Triadi Universitas Pertahanan Republik Indonesia
M. Adnan Madjid Universitas Pertahanan Republik Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55927/fjmr.v5i4.49

Keywords:

Acting Regional Heads, Postponement of Regional Head Elections, Democratic Legitimacy, Rule of Law

Abstract

This study analyzes the legal status of Acting Regional Heads within Indonesia’s constitutional system as a solution to the postponement of Regional Head Elections. The postponement of such elections has the potential to create a leadership vacuum that may disrupt the continuity of regional governance. This research employs a normative juridical method, using both statutory and conceptual approaches. The findings indicate that, formally, the existence of Acting Regional Heads has a valid legal basis. However, there remain normative weaknesses concerning the limits of authority, accountability mechanisms, and democratic legitimacy. Acting Regional Heads do not possess a direct mandate from the people, which may lead to a legitimacy deficit. Nevertheless, their presence remains necessary to ensure the continuity of governance. Therefore, stronger, clearer, and more comprehensive regulatory frameworks are required.

References

Abustan. (2022). Implementasi Demokrasi dan Legitimasi Penjabat Kepala Daerah di Indonesia. Indonesia Law Reform Journal, 2(3), 274–287.

Azhary. (1995). Negara Hukum Indonesia (Analisis Yuridis Normatif tentang Unsur-unsurnya). Jakarta: UI Press.

Das, A. (2023). 13 years in J&K, 10 times in Manipur, UP: History of President’s Rule. In The Indian Express logo Journalism of Courage. https://indianexpress.com/article/political-pulse/13-years-in-jk-10-times-in-manipur-up-history-of-presidents-rule-8912688/

Dewi Haryanti, O. A. (2023). Hukum Pemilu dan Pemilihan Kepala Daerah Langsung (Tinjauan Hukum dan Teori). Yogyakarta: Deepublish Digital.

Firdaus Arifin, Mella Ismelina Farma, Ihsanul Maarif, Anastasia Wahyu Murbani, Y. P. (2025). Navigating Leadership Transitions: The Challenges and Implications of Interim Authority in Indonesia’s Regional Governance. Kanun: Jurnal Ilmu Hukum, 27(1), 67–88.

Handayani, P. Z. (2026). Tinjauan Konstitusional Penunjukan Penjabat Kepala Daerah Berdasarkan Prinsip Demokrasi dan Kedaulatan Rakyat. Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat Dan Riset Pendidikan, 4(3), 16979–16987. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.31004/jerkin.v4i3.4866

Helmi Chandra SY. (2024). Konsekuensi Pemilihan Kepala Daerah Serentak 2024: Perluasan Makna Demokratis Dalam Pengisian Penjabat Kepala Daerah. Prosiding Konferensi Nasional Asosiasi Pengajar Hukum Tata Negara Dan Hukum Administrasi Negara, 2(1). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.55292/a2b1se52

Hendra Nurtjahjo. (2008). Filsafat Demokrasi. Jakarta: Bumi Aksara.

International IDEA. (2026). Electoral Processes. https://www.idea.int/theme/electoral-processes

Irfan. (2025). Legitimasi Penjabat Kepala Daerah. Jurnal Hukum Berkeadaban, 1(1), 26–30.

Mahardika, A. G., Fatayati, S., & Furqan, F. N. (2022). Problematika Yuridis Pengisian Penjabat Sementara Kepala Daerah dalam Sistem Ketatanegaraan Indonesia. Legacy Jurnal Hukum Dan Perundang-Undangan, 2(46), 22–36. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.21274/legacy.2022.2.2.22-36

Marzuki, P. M. (2017). Penelitian Hukum, Edisi Revisi. Jakarta: Prenadamedia Group.

Mukhtar. (2013). Metode Praktis Penelitian Deskriptif Kualitatif. Jakarta: GP Press Group.

Nasution, B. J. (2008). Metode Penelitian Ilmu Hukum. Bandung: CV Mandar Maju.

Noviani, W. (2022). Pemilihan Umum Kepala Daerah Serentak Tahun 2020 pada Masa Pandemi Covid-19 di Indonesia Perspektif Siyasah Syar ’ iyya h. Intizar, 28(1), 19–32. https://doi.org/10.19109/intizar.v28i1.10217

Pratama, A. A., Nur, I. T., & Erwinta, P. (2024). Problematika Pengangkatan Penjabat Kepala Daerah sebagai Dampak Penetapan Pemilihan Kepala Daerah Serentak Tahun 2024. Jurnal Hukum Bisnis, 13(1), 1–13. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.47709/hukumbisnis.v13i01.3531

Qoirunnisa, A., & Wahyuni, Y. S. (2025). Legitimasi Kekuasaan dalam Perspektif Max Weber pada Pemerintahan Kontemporer. Journal Transformation of Mandalika, 6(12), 592–598. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.36312/jtm.v6i12.5801

Raja, B. L., & Siburian, K. (2024). Gagasan Penundaan Pemilihan Umum Serentak Tahun 2024 dalam Perspektif Hukum Tata Negara. Nommensen Journal of Constitutional and Administrative Law, 01(November 2022), 143–157.

Rianto Adi. (2000). Metode Penelitian Sosial dan Hukum. Jakarta: Granit.

Riyadi, M., & Mu’alim, M. (2025). Analisis Peraturan Komisi Pemilihan Umum Nomor 18 Tahun 2024 Perspektif Jean Jacques Rousseau tentang Legitimasi Kekuasaan. Jurnal USM Law Review, 8(1). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.26623/julr.v8i1.11408

Rohmah, N. (2025). Implementasi prinsip kedaulatan rakyat dalam sistem ketatanegaraan indonesia. Maliki Interdisciplinary Journal (MIJ), 3(11), 495–501.

Shidiq, R. M., Faisal, R., Alvi, M., & Fakultas, P. (2024). Rule Of Law dan Perubahan Hukum Menurut Aristoteles. 1–18. https://doi.org/10.11111/praxis.xxxxxxx

Zainuddin Ali. (2009). Metode Penelitian Hukum. Jakarta: Sinar Grafika Offset.

Undang-undang Dasar Negara Republik Indonesia Tahun 1945

The 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia

Law Number 23 of 2014 on Regional Government

Law Number 10 of 2016 on the Second Amendment to Law Number 1 of 2015 concerning the Stipulation of Government Regulation in Lieu of Law Number 1 of 2014 on the Election of Governors, Regents, and Mayors as Law

Law Number 6 of 2020 on the Stipulation of Government Regulation in Lieu of Law Number 2 of 2020 concerning the Third Amendment to Law Number 1 of 2015 on the Stipulation of Government Regulation in Lieu of Law Number 1 of 2014 on the Election of Governors, Regents, and Mayors as Law, as Law

Government Regulation Number 49 of 2008 on the Third Amendment to Government Regulation Number 6 of 2005 on the Election, Ratification, Appointment, and Dismissal of Regional Heads and Deputy Regional Heads

Minister of Home Affairs Regulation Number 4 of 2023 on Acting Governors, Acting Regents, and Acting Mayors