Submission Review Process Revised Accepted Published 07-02-2021 10-02 s/d 17-04-2021 21-04-2021 26-04-2021 28-04-2021 Ampera: A Research Journal on Politics and Islamic Civilization, Vol. 2 No.2, April 2021 (107-117) Published by: Politik Islam UIN Raden Fatah Palembang 107 Politik Identitas: Peran Politik Etnis Tionghoa dalam Pemilihan Walikota dan Wakil Walikota Palembang Tahun 2018 Muhammad Yoga Anugrah Fakultas Adab dan Humaniora Universitas Islam Negeri Raden Fatah Palembang Email: myogak97@gmail.com M. Syawaluddin Fakultas Adab dan Humaniora Universitas Islam Negeri Raden Fatah Palembang Email: mohammadsyawaludin_uin@radenfatah.ac.id ABSTRACT This study discusses the role of the ethnic Chinese in the city of Palembang in the 2018 election of mayor and deputy mayor who are members of the PITI organization (Indonesian Chinese Islamic Association). The PITI organization is not like other organizations that express direct and open support in supporting one of the colon pairs. It can be said that the PITI organization located in the city of Palembang appears to be less open to political activities or classified as closed. Because in terms of number PITI does not have as many members as other community organizations. The formulation of the problem in this study, namely: First, how is the political participation of ethnic Chinese in the election of mayor and deputy mayor of Palembang in 2018. Second, the factors that influence the participation of ethnic Chinese in the election of mayor and deputy mayor of Palembang in 2018. The methods in this study include descriptive qualitative methods and use data collection techniques through direct interviews with informants as primary sources. In addition, as a secondary source of information obtained through books, journals, and previous scientific writings. The interviews were conducted with the deputy general chairman, treasurer, and members of PITI in Palembang. The results of this study indicate that the political participation of the PITI organization in the 2018 election of the mayor and deputy mayor of Palembang is neutral towards their political choices. However, neutral means that the PITI organization does not invite its members to choose one candidate from the four pairs of candidates, but members are free to make their choices and influence their friends as long as they are not in the official activities of the PITI organization. Furthermore, the factors that affect PITI's political participation are the lack of openness to the colony pair or the candidate's success team, so that PITI can be said to be shy and even tends to be closed in the election activities.