The ruling followed a renewed push by President Prabowo Subianto to return to an electoral system used during the authoritarian New Order era, when governors, regents and mayors were selected by regional legislative councils (DPRD), a move critics say could reverse hard-won democratic reforms.

Support for the proposal has been growing among pro-government parties in recent months, ahead of a planned revision to the Regional Elections Law in the House of Representatives, which is now dominated by political parties backing Prabowo’s administration.

In a ruling on Monday, the court dismissed a petition challenging a provision in the prevailing law that defines regional polls as being conducted “directly and democratically”.

“Regional elections are currently held through direct popular vote,” Chief Justice Suhartoyo said, citing numerous previous court decisions that have consistently upheld the model.

Several major political parties have welcomed Monday’s ruling, saying that it should settle the long-running debate over the regional election mechanism and acknowledging the court’s decision as “final and binding”.

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