Social Network Analysis of Presidential Candidates: A Case Study of Prabowo-Gibran in Indonesia

In 2024, Indonesia faces a pivotal year marked by a presidential election, which has triggered significant polarization. The election has led to societal divisions, penetrating social and political dynamics. Differences in presidential candidate preferences and media influence on public sentiment are key factors contributing to this polarization. As a social media platform, X plays a crucial role in shaping the national conversation, 103,611 data collected from this conversation. The study seeks to measure the level of polarization during the Indonesian presidential election by analyzing conversations on X. To enhance the analysis, a polarization index quantifies the level of polarization, while social network analysis examines the connectivity within the discourse network among X users. Research findings show that the presidential candidate duo Prabowo-Gibran is a central point of polarization on X. The X community has split into two distinct groups: a pro group engaging in positive conversations and offering full support for the candidate duo, and an anti-group expressing opposition through negative comments and hate speech. While many studies have comprehensively explored political polarization, this research focuses specifically on the polarization surrounding one presidential candidate. The study aims to provide insights into polarization and enable proactive measures to prevent further escalation.