Popular Sovereignty vs Rule of Law: Regulating Convicted President-Elect Status in the Indonesian Constitution
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15294/ipmhi.v5i2.47807Keywords:
Constitution, President-elect, Criminal Conviction, Popular Sovereignty, Rule of LawAbstract
The Indonesian Constitution upholds the principles of popular sovereignty and the supremacy of law as the foundation of the government system. However, it lacks explicit provisions regarding the legal status of a president-elect convicted of a crime before inauguration, creating a constitutional void that could lead to political instability and governance crises. This study examines the urgency of regulating this issue within the Constitution to maintain a balance between democratic legitimacy and the rule of law. Using a juridical-normative approach, this research analyzes comparative legal frameworks and best practices in addressing criminal convictions of executive leaders. The findings reveal that the absence of clear constitutional provisions may result in a legitimacy crisis, legal uncertainty, and declining public trust in democratic institutions. Several constitutional options can be considered to address this issue, including granting limited immunity to the president-elect except in cases of corruption, treason, or gross human rights violations; authorizing the Constitutional Court to assess whether a conviction nullifies the right to be inaugurated; or delegating the decision to the People’s Consultative Assembly through a special session. Additionally, a leadership succession mechanism must be ensured, allowing the vice president-elect to automatically assume the presidency if the president-elect is disqualified. These reforms are essential to prevent legal and political manipulation while ensuring the continuity of democratic governance under the rule of law.
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