T This study examines the implementation of the noken system in the election of the regent and deputy regent of dogiyai regency, central papua, in 2024, and its relevance to the fundamental principles of elections as stipulated in law number 10 of 2016 concerning gubernatorial, regent, and mayor elections. the noken system represents a form of political participation rooted in local wisdom, conducted through deliberative mechanisms involving customary village leaders. nonetheless, its application has elicited debates regarding its conformity with the principles of electoral democracy, particularly the principles of being direct, general, free, secret, honest, and fair (luberjudil). the research employs a normative legal methodology, utilizing legislative, case, and conceptual approaches. this descriptive study relies on secondary data obtained through literature review and analyzes the data qualitatively using deductive legal reasoning. the findings indicate that the constitutional court, through several of its rulings, has acknowledged the existence of the noken system as an expression of the recognition of customary law communities. however, the system currently lacks a definitive legal basis within national legislation. in practice, the implementation of the noken system has frequently resulted in disputes over election outcomes, violations of electoral principles, and social conflicts. consequently, it is imperative to develop specific legal regulations at the legislative level to ensure legal certainty and electoral justice in the conduct of local democratic processes.