Political Party Participation in Community Empowerment (Partisipasi Partai Politik Dalam Pemberdayaan Masyarakat)

Abstract

Political party participation in village head elections has shown a new development in several villages in Sidoarjo Regency in 2026. This phenomenon indicates an expansion of political participation, which previously tended to focus primarily on presidential and legislative elections. This study employed a qualitative descriptive approach to examine the phenomenon of political party participation in village head elections in Sidoarjo Regency. Data were collected through interviews, observations, and documentation. Data analysis utilized the Miles and Huberman interactive model, consisting of data condensation, data display, and conclusion drawing and verification. The findings indicate that political party involvement in village head elections is not solely oriented toward electoral interests but is also manifested through community empowerment activities. Support for village road improvement represents one form of intervention perceived directly by the community and contributes to improving mobility. Political participation also demonstrates a relationship between political interests, community representation, and development at the village level. These findings suggest that political party participation at the village level can serve as an instrument for strengthening community involvement while promoting local development. However, political involvement needs to be implemented transparently and oriented toward public interests so that community empowerment does not merely become an electoral strategy for gaining political support. Political party participation in the 2026 village head elections in Sidoarjo Regency demonstrates a positive development in community empowerment and support for village development. This phenomenon can provide an important foundation for building resilient, independent villages with stronger capacities for meaningful political participation.