Dissension in Court Decisions Concerning Minimum Age Requirement for Regional Head Candidacy (A Study of Political Configuration Influences on Judicial Power)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22225/scj.9.1.2026.1-13Keywords:
constitutional democracy, judicial independence, judicial power, political configuration, regional head candidacyAbstract
This research examines two conflicting judicial decisions in Indonesia concerning the minimum age requirement for regional head candidacy: Supreme Court Decision No. 23 P/HUM/2024 and Constitutional Court Decision No. 70/PUU-XXII/2024. The divergence between these decisions reveals a significant political configuration concerning judicial independence and the interaction between judicial institutions and political interests. Employing a prescriptive legal approach, this research qualitatively analyzes the two decisions through a socio-political framework and legal argumentation scheme. The findings indicate that the prevailing political configuration influences the character of judicial decision-making. The Supreme Court’s decision reflects an orthodox and elitist judicial orientation, whereas the Constitutional Court’s decision demonstrates a more responsive and populist approach, potentially functioning as an instrument for legitimizing political power. These contrasting judicial approaches raise fundamental questions regarding the independence and impartiality of judicial institutions in a democratic constitutional state. This research emphasizes that judicial independence is essential to safeguarding constitutional rights, preventing the instrumentalization of judicial power, strengthening democratic governance, and upholding the rule of law in Indonesia.
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