Perpanjangan Masa Jabatan Anggota Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat Daerah Periode 2024-2029: Mengisi Kekosongan Jabatan di Masa Transisi Pemilu

Abstract

This article discusses constitutional, political, and democratic issues related to the discourse on extending the term of office of DPRD members for the 2024–2029 period. Extending the term of office of regional legislators without going through the regular election mechanism raises fundamental issues within the framework of Indonesian constitutionalism, as it contradicts the principles of term limits and the principle of popular sovereignty as stipulated in the 1945 Constitution. From the aspect of political legitimacy, this policy has the potential to erode public trust and weaken the representation of the people at the local level, because DPRD members no longer obtain a direct mandate from the people. In addition, from a democratic perspective, this step is considered to reduce the principles of participation, accountability, and circulation of power, which are at the core of a democratic system. The most tangible impact is felt on regional autonomy, where the DPRD has strategic legislative, supervisory, and representative functions. The extension of the term of office is feared to create policy stagnation, weaken control over the regional executive, and reduce the quality of local democracy. Using a normative-conceptual approach, this article argues that extending the DPRD's term of office has no strong constitutional basis, has the potential to weaken political legitimacy, and threatens the consolidation of democracy and decentralization in Indonesia.