TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Facebook has launched a new feature dubbed Candidate Info to help Indonesians learn about candidates running in the 2019 general elections and their programs ahead of the election day on April 17. The feature allows users to compare different candidates.

“In a short video, candidates can explain their programs on their own, and people will learn about their platforms and missions. This feature will be visible in News Feed for all Indonesians starting April 2,” said Facebook spokesperson in a statement, on Tuesday, April 2.

Users can find the position of a candidate, visit the candidate’s homepage, and watch videos of the candidate explaining certain topics. Election candidates are able to create a 20-second video to introduce themselves and answer several main questions.

The questions include what will they do to improve Indonesian people welfare, what they hope to accomplish if elected, what their plans to realize it, and what they will do to eradicate corruption.

“We believe that helping people to learn candidates’ profiles will help to create a better community. Every day, we see Facebook users talk about conversations between politicians,” the spokesperson said. “Facebook works hard to make it easier for people to get the information they need in making a decision ahead of the general election.”

Candidates’ video is produced by their own and their team, and Facebook has no relation in the content making. This feature is part of Facebook efforts in building more social and educated community with the right information.

On the election day, Facebook will ease users to share updates that they have chosen a candidate. Photos and videos displaying relatives and families who have cast a ballot will be shown in News Feed so people can celebrate and take part in this democratic party.

MOH KHORY ALFARIZI