Public Support for Local Parties in the 2024 Elections in Banda Aceh

A Case Study of the Aceh Party

Abstract

Support for a political party is inconsistent, as it can change at any time. In this study, we sought to identify the causes of the decline in public support for the Aceh Party in the city of Banda Aceh; we aimed to uncover the reasons behind this decline and provide recommendations for the Aceh Party and other parties facing similar challenges. This study employed a qualitative method. The findings indicate that the Aceh Party experienced a decline in votes in Banda Aceh because the city is not part of the conflict-affected region; the party’s management remains disorganized; there are few traditional voters in Banda Aceh; local parties with strong ideologies are prevalent; the community faces severe economic hardship; public support has increased on a province-wide scale; and the Aceh Party lacks significant bargaining power in Banda Aceh. The recommendations we can offer are as follows: 1. Improve communication and direct community engagement through inclusive campaigns and concrete programs that have a direct impact. 2. Improve party governance, including transparency in fund management and the candidate selection process, to increase public trust.