Political Identity and Election in Indonesian Democracy: A Case Study in Karang Pandan Village – Malang, Indonesia

Political change in Indonesia which began since 1998 has given a way for an open politics. Using ethnography, this research reveals that although PDIP won parliamentary election in the presidential and district leader (bupati) elections, some of its supporters did not vote for the party's candidates. In the executive elections, their perception is different. Choosing a president or a bupati is not only perceived as a matter of political or economic calculations but also, and more likely, perceived as cultural events. Under such a circumstance, therefore, ethical values such as politeness of the candidate become the voter's main consideration to vote.