In Indonesia, election financing remains a crucial topic in every general election. This financing encompasses aspects of revenue, expenditure, and fund management. While not the sole focus, discussions on election financing often center on various issues regarding campaign funding. The primary concern in both election and campaign financing is ensuring adherence to the principles of transparency and accountability; these principles are pivotal in guaranteeing elections characterized by integrity and fairness. This is not unique to Indonesia; it is a global issue affecting other nations, including those with established democracies. To date, however, the enforcement of transparency and accountability principles has not been fully realized in the elections held in the country whether in direct presidential and vice-presidential elections, legislative elections, or simultaneous regional head elections.
In general, issues regarding transparency and accountability stem from at least three factors: limited existing regulations, weak regulatory enforcement, and a lack of sufficient political will among all stakeholders. These issues give rise to various consequences. For election contestants, they result in inequality among participants and escalating political costs associated with seeking office in either the legislative or executive branches. For election administrators, the issues lead to budgetary inefficiencies in organizing elections—including regional head elections, even when held simultaneously. Meanwhile, from the perspective of voters, the prevalence of money politics stands out as a major issue in every election. This anthology aims to explore these various issues.
