Gunungkidul sees 24 incumbent village chiefs seeking re‑election in 2026

In Gunungkidul Regency, Indonesia, 24 incumbent village chiefs (lurahs) have announced their intention to run again in the concurrent village chief elections slated for 2026. The candidacy registration opened on 13 July and will remain open until 23 July 2026. While most incumbents are expected to seek re‑election, four chiefs have decided not to run, citing fatigue and personal reasons.

Two former chiefs, now out of office, also plan to contest the election, though they are not counted among the incumbents. The registration process is open to any eligible resident, not just current chiefs. By mid‑July, only one candidate, named Sugiyanto, had submitted his paperwork, and officials expect a few more applicants, including at least one incumbent who has consulted on required documents but has not yet filed.

The election will determine who leads the 24 village administrations for the next eight years, with the local administration emphasizing that the opportunity remains open to all qualified citizens.