A comparative analysis of electoral systems in Indonesia and the Philippines: Structure, process, and political representation

Abstract

This study aims to compare the electoral systems, both executive and legislative, in Indonesia and the Philippines by highlighting the differences in institutional structure, implementation mechanisms, and their impact on political representation (the presence or representation of the people's voices in political decision-making) and democracy. Indonesia applies an open proportional system for legislative elections, while the Philippines uses a plurality system (first-past-the-post) for congressional elections, as well as a mixed system for executive positions. This study employs a descriptive qualitative approach with data collection techniques through literature review and analysis of official election documents from both countries. The findings show that Indonesia's proportional system tends to produce broader party representation but is also vulnerable to political fragmentation (a situation where political power is divided into many competing groups or parties, making it difficult to reach political consensus or stability). Meanwhile, the majoritarian system in the Philippines is simpler but tends to result in dominance by political elites (a small group with power—whether economic, political, or social—that controls the decision-making process) and weakens minority group representation. The study concludes that each system has its advantages and disadvantages, influenced by the political, social, and historical context of each country. Therefore, the choice of an ideal electoral system should consider a balance between government efficiency and inclusive representation.