PROGRESSIVE STEPS IN PREVENTING AND HANDLING MONEY POLITICS IN INDONESIAN ELECTIONS: AN EFFORT TO REDUCE DEVIANT BEHAVIOR IN DEMOCRATIC ELECTIONS

The practice of money politics in elections is most commonly observed during campaign activities and the distribution of donations, especially in the form of cash contributions. Several factors contribute to this issue, including traditional practices, a desire for recognition, a conducive environment for unethical behavior, the ability to influence laws, wavering ethical values, impoverished communities, limited public awareness, and cultural norms. Money politics typically unfolds in two stages: pre-voting and post-voting. The pre-voting phase includes administrative selection, the campaign period, the quiet period, and the lead-up to the actual election, targeting primarily voters susceptible to influence. The post-election phase occurs after the election, particularly during the General Session of the DPR/DPRD and in decisions concerning the APBN/APBD, with political elites who wield significant authority being the main targets. These egal loopholes can be exploited for fraudulent purposes. Therefore, it is critical to enhance the clarity and enforceability of existing legal provisions.