170 Regional Heads' Terms of Office Expire in 2023

At least 170 regional heads are ending their terms in 2023.

Data compiled by *Kompas.com* shows that the largest number of these regional heads are regents (Bupati), totaling 115 individuals. They are spread across Indonesia, from Aceh to Mimika, Papua.

The second largest group are mayors (Walikota), with 38 individuals ending their terms. The smallest group consists of governors (Gubernur), with 17 individuals.

Several prominent figures are ending their terms this year, including Ridwan Kamil (West Java Governor), Ganjar Pranowo (Central Java Governor), and Khofifah Indar Parawansa (East Java Governor).

According to Khoirunnisa Nur Agustyati, Executive Director of the Association for Elections and Democracy (Perludem), extending the terms of regional heads is unnecessary.

This is because the mechanism for filling vacancies is already regulated by law. Regulations stipulate that acting officials will replace regional heads whose terms expire in 2022 and 2023.

“Actually, according to the Regional Elections Law, the mechanism implemented in the absence of regional elections in 2022 and 2023 is through acting officials. So, it doesn't create a vacancy for regional heads, even though the regional heads are not definitive,” said Nisa to *Merdeka.com*, quoted from Perludem's official website.

Nisa added that filling positions with acting regional heads is not ideal. In her opinion, what needs to be done is to normalize the regional election schedule.

“It's indeed not ideal when the regional elections have to wait until 2024, and the acting official period becomes quite long. Actually, it's better to normalize the regional election schedule,” she said.

(Also read: 271 Regional Heads Will Step Down Before the 2024 Regional Elections)