Social media is gaining momentum as one of the most popular platforms for campaigning by candidates joining the simultaneous regional elections

In 9 December 2015 Indonesia will hold simultaneous regional elections (Pilkada), which will be the first ever in Indonesia’s history. To be taking placed across 9 provinces, 269 districts and 36 cities, voters will on that day cast their votes to elect governors, district heads and city mayors – and their running mates.

The 9 December Pilkada will be the first of the total seven rounds until 2027. As decreed by the National Election Commission (KPU), candidates have started campaigning from 8 August and will end it on 6 December 2015.

As observed, most if not all candidates are still using ‘old’ campaigning methods like disseminating brochures and calendars, in addition to displaying installing banners and billboards. They also opt to advertise in the media including newspaper, radio and television.

Nonetheless, social media platform is also cited as a new campaigning method in Law No. 1/2015 on Pilkada. The KPU is aware of the rising popularity and effectiveness of the social media, and its relatively lower cost. Accordingly, it obliges candidates and their campaigning teams to register with the KPU the social media that they use such as through their account in Facebook, Twitter, blog and Youtube. Each candidate together with his or her running mate can have up to three accounts.

Source: globalindonesianvoices.com (edited)