Constitutionality of E-Voting Implementation in Indonesia's Electoral System: Opportunities and Juridical Challenges
Keywords:
E-voting, Constitutionality, Electoral Law, Digital Democracy, Personal Data ProtectionAbstract
The digitalization of public administration has prompted many democracies, including Indonesia, to consider electronic voting (e-voting). This article examines the constitutionality of e-voting within Indonesia’s electoral system, specifically its conformity with the constitutional principles of LUBER-JURDIL mandated by Article 22E of the 1945 Constitution. Utilizing a normative juridical method with statute, conceptual, and comparative approaches, this study finds that e-voting is not inherently unconstitutional. Constitutional Court Decision No. 147/PUU-VII/2009 has opened normative space for its use at the village level. However, national implementation faces substantial juridical gaps because Law No. 7 of 2017 on General Elections lacks explicit regulations, leaving legal certainty, vote secrecy, verifiability, and dispute resolution unresolved. Furthermore, cybersecurity vulnerabilities, personal data protection deficits, and the digital divide pose significant technical and social obstacles. Comparative analysis of Estonia, Brazil, India, and European jurisdictions offers essential safeguards, such as voter verifiable audit trails and independent oversight. This article concludes that Indonesia can constitutionally adopt e-voting, provided it undertakes comprehensive legislative reform, establishes robust cybersecurity architecture, and pursues a gradual, evidence based implementation starting from sub national elections.
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