Articles

Reinterpreting Article 18 (4) of the 1945 Constitution: The Election Appointment Dichotomy and the Tension Between Popular Sovereignty and Executive Authority

    Authors

  • La Ode Muhaimin Faculty of law, Universias Dayanu Ikhsanuddin, Baubau, Indonesia
  • Hardi Done Faculty of law, Universias Dayanu Ikhsanuddin, Baubau, Indonesia
  • Wa Ode Zamrud Faculty of law, Universias Dayanu Ikhsanuddin, Baubau, Indonesia
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Published 23-09-2026
Pages 1-19
Section Articles

Abstract

ABSTRACT
Employing a normative constitutional and administrative law framework, this study contends that Constitutional Court Decisions No. 67/PUU-XX/2021 and No. 15/PUU-XX/2022 misinterpret Article 18(4) of the 1945 Constitution by equating the appointment of acting regional heads with democratic elections, thereby obscuring the fundamental distinction between popular sovereignty and executive authority. This study aims to differentiate the domains of election and appointment, evaluate the Constitutional Court’s interpretation, and assess the legitimacy of DPRD involvement in nominating acting regional heads, including in New Autonomous Regions. This study develops a conceptual framework that clearly distinguishes elections and appointments as two separate subsystems for filling regional head positions, while advancing a more coherent constitutional interpretation of their respective domains. This study uses the normative juridical. The study finds that the Constitutional Court blurs the distinction between elections (popular sovereignty) and appointments (executive authority), creating ambiguity in legal domains. This also affects the DPRD’s role, which may be misinterpreted as political recruitment despite lacking DPR-equivalent authority. The Court should have clearly defined these boundaries rather than merely recommending implementing regulations.

    Keywords

  • appointment
  • constitutional court
  • election

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Issue Vol. 11 No. 1 (2026): Jurnal Bina Mulia Hukum Volume 11 Number 1 September 2026

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