Indonesian pro-government parties open to scrapping direct regional elections

Political parties behind President Prabowo Subianto's administration are open to his suggestion of scrapping the current system of direct elections for regional heads.

- 

This is despite strong opposition from pro-democracy advocates, who warned that it would undercut democratic accountability and risk reversing hard-won reforms.

Mr Prabowo has reignited debate over how the country chooses governors, mayors and regents after he, in a Golkar Party anniversary event earlier in December, told leaders of coalition parties to "be bold" in considering ditching direct regional head elections.

Returning to the old indirect polling in place during the authoritarian New Order regime, when governors, regents and mayors were selected by regional legislatures (DPRDs), would cut wasteful spending and curb vote buying, according to the President.

His suggestion came ahead of deliberations on amendments to election laws in the House of Representatives in 2026, with lawmakers planning to introduce sweeping changes to regional, legislative and presidential elections.

Most political parties in the government-controlled House signalled their willingness to revisit the current direct regional elections, citing their shared concerns over the financial burden the system places on both the government and the candidates, as well as its role in fostering vote-buying.