The 2024 Banten gubernatorial election was held on 27 November 2024 as part of nationwide local elections to elect the governor and vice governor of Banten for a five-year term. The previous elected governor, Wahidin Halim, did not run for a second term. The speaker of the Banten Regional House of Representatives, Andra Soni of the Gerindra Party, was elected governor with 55% of the vote. He defeated former South Tangerang Mayor Airin Rachmi Diany of Golkar who received 44% in an upset.
Electoral system
The election, like other local elections in 2024, follow the first-past-the-post system where the candidate with the most votes wins the election, even if they do not win a majority. It is possible for a candidate to run uncontested, in which case the candidate is still required to win a majority of votes "against" an "empty box" option. Should the candidate fail to do so, the election will be repeated on a later date.
Candidates
According to electoral regulations, in order to qualify for the election, candidates were required to secure support from 20 seats in the Banten Regional House of Representatives. As no parties won 20 or more, coalitions of multiple parties were required to nominate a candidate. However, following a Constitutional Court of Indonesia decision in August 2024, the political support required to nominate a candidate was lowered to between 6.5 and 10 percent of the popular vote. Candidates may alternatively demonstrate support in form of photocopies of identity cards, which in Banten's case corresponds to 663,199 copies. No independent candidates submitted a registration with the General Elections Commission within the provided deadline.
Declared
These are candidates who have been allegedly delegated by political parties endorsing for gubernatorial election:
Former Mayor of South Tangerang Airin Rachmi Diany gained the highest popular opinion to run for Governor of Banten in 2024 and Golkar proceeded to nominate her for Governor on 23 June 2024 despite having to fight against coalition partner Gerindra who nominated Speaker of Banten Regional House of Representatives Andra Soni as Governor. Abandoned by the Advanced Indonesia Coalition, Golkar opened coalition talks with Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) who then named Ade Sumardi as Airin's running mate. Ade is the chairman of PDI-P Banten. PDI-P declared for the pair on 1 August 2024.
When Airlangga Hartanto stepped down as chairman of Golkar and Bahlil Lahadalia became the new chairman, Golkar shifted their support to Andra Soni, causing doubts on Airin's candidacy. Despite this, according to the Constitutional Court ruling, PDI-P can run their candidates without the support of other parties. The pair was again officially declared, this time with the blessings of Megawati Sukarnoputri, who 'motivated' her inside PDI-P's party headquarters on 26 August 2024. Megawati's 'motivating' speech to her brings speculation that Airin might be kicked out from Golkar. Ratu Tatu Chasanah, Golkar's chair in Banten, clarify Golkar's reaction:
We have asked for permission from the General Chairperson and the General Chairperson has permitted it, because he is also aware that this is Mrs. Airin's political right. He cannot forbid his cadres, because this is an inherent political right. He said that with a heavy heart and apologies, the recommendation could not be given to Ms. Airin. The General Chairperson said this was for the safety of Golkar. With the General Chairperson's statement, we as cadres must understand. If it is for the safety of the party, then we cadres must save the party.
To PDI-P's relief, Golkar reaffirmed Airin's candidacy on 27 August 2024 with Bahlil stating that the party's decision to nominate Airin was final. When asked about the sudden change is because of Megawati, Bahlil states that he had communicated with members of the Advanced Indonesia Coalition and there were no connection to Megawati's 'motivating' speech. He then reaffirms Airin's candidacy won't harm Golkar's relation with the coalition on the national level and it will be more fitting for Golkar to assist Airin in the election. Bahlil also claimed that Prabowo Subianto and Sufmi Dasco Ahmad understands and won't oppose their candidacy.
The Governor of Banten for the 2017–2022 term, Wahidin Halim, has participated in two gubernatorial elections, namely in 2011 and 2017. In 2024, Wahidin, who has switched parties from Demokrat to NasDem, has been assigned by his party to run as a legislative candidate for the DPR RI for the Banten III electoral district. He then decided not to advance his candidacy in the 2024 gubernatorial election. Another candidate who emerged was Achmad Dimyati from the Natakusumah clan who popularized himself as "Mr. Dim". He has also received a mandate from his party, PKS, to run as a candidate in the regional election. On the other hand, Gerindra party cadre Andra Soni is also in the gubernatorial election candidate list. On June 30 2024, Gerindra gave Andra the task of running as a candidate for governor. Considering that Gerindra's seat in the 2024 legislative election is ahead of PKS, PKS is given the opportunity to nominate a candidate for deputy governor. The candidate from PKS is Dimyati. He was given the mandate by the chairman of Gerindra, Prabowo Subianto as a candidate for deputy governor. The second declaration was made by the seven political parties who won seats in the legislative elections which are officially members of the Advanced Banten Coalition. The name of the coalition is a continuation of the Advanced Indonesia Coalition at the national level.
Potential
The following are individuals who have either been publicly mentioned as a potential candidate by a political party in the DPRD, publicly declared their candidacy with press coverage, or considered as a potential candidate by press:
- Arief Rachadiono Wismansyah (Demokrat), former mayor of Tangerang (2013–2023).
Declined
The following are individuals who have either been publicly mentioned as a potential candidate by a political party or considered by the press, but declined to run:
- Rano Karno (PDI-P), former governor (2015–2017) and vice governor (2012–2015), 2017 gubernatorial candidate. (ran for Vice Governor of Jakarta)
- Wahidin Halim (NasDem), previous governor (2017–2022).
Endorsements
Airin Rachmi Diany – Ade Sumardi
Political map
Following the 2024 Indonesian general election, 10 political parties are represented in the Banten Regional House of Representatives: