Money politics is an act prohibited by the constitution. One of the rules governing this prohibition is contained in Law No. 7 of 2017 Article 280 Letter J, which states that "implementers, participants, and election campaign teams are prohibited from promising or giving money or other materials to election campaign participants". This study will examine the issues related to Bawaslu's authority in exposing money politics practices during regional head elections, as well as the impact of money politics on local democracy in society. This study aims to explain Bawaslu's authority in proving money politics practices in regional head elections and to describe the impact of money politics on local democracy in society. The research method used in this study is the normative legal method, with a statutory and conceptual approach, to answer the problems studied. The results of the study indicate that Bawaslu's authority in proving money politics in regional head elections is limited to providing technical guidance in the field, which includes the planning, declaration, and maturation process to the community. Efforts to prevent money politics by Bawaslu are carried out through several steps: first, by providing education, socialization, and participatory supervision; second, through campaign supervision; third, by receiving reports and complaints; fourth, through investigation and law enforcement. and fifth, by imposing sanctions and punishments carried out by the Integrated Law Enforcement Center (Gakkumdu). The influence of money politics on local democracy in society can be seen from the decreasing appreciation for democratic values, where the Regency community elects regional heads only based on the money they receive. It is hoped that the Indonesian Government can formulate effective regulations to create a deterrent effect for perpetrators of money politics. In addition, the public needs to realize that money politics damages democratic values and should not be considered an advantage.
Keywords: Money Politics Practices, Democracy, Election Supervisory Body