Guarding the people’s vote: why ethics dimension matters for public trust to E-recapitulation in the Indonesia 2024 election

This article examines the role of election technology through a power-relations perspective to challenge the dominant technologically centric approach in evaluating election systems. Focusing on the e-recapitulation technology used in Indonesia’s 2024 General Election, this qualitative case study draws on semi-structured interviews and process analysis of the electoral management workflow. The study shows that the ethical challenges of electoral technology extend beyond technical system compliance. Key risks, such as perceived manipulation, limited transparency, and weak communication capacity within the electoral management body, shape public trust and influence the perceived integrity of election results. These findings demonstrate that election technology is not merely a technical artifact but a contested arena of power, legitimacy, and ethical governance. The study contributes to debates on digital democracy and algorithmic governance by highlighting the need to incorporate ethical, relational, and communicative dimensions into electoral technology design. Strengthening these aspects is crucial for ensuring public trust and enhancing the quality and credibility of electoral governance in emerging democracies.