The Interest Pattern of Ethnic Groups as Supporters: A Case Study of Pilkada of Medan City in 2015

Abstract

Democracy gives people the same right to vote and to be voted in a political position. High citizen participation in leader election is utilized as an indicator of the quality of democracy. On the other hand, citizen participation in the election in some cases in some districts of Indonesia did not run smoothly and peacefully but in the case of Medan city, the periodical election of regional heads (pilkada) did not show the social upheaval of different options as well as in the segmentation of ethnic groups as supporters of candidates competing in it. This study is aimed at discovering the interest pattern of PASTI and Joko Tingkir as ethnic groups and political compensation, which was gained by them in Pilkada of Medan city in 2015. This study employed qualitative research with case study type. The research data were obtained through in-depth interviews, library study, documentation, and focus group discussion. It is found that there is a similarity pattern of ethnic group involvement in constructing political communication with contestant but there is difference of orientation of postelection compensation expectation.