KPU Signs MoU With TikTok To Disseminate Information On The 2024 Election

The General Elections Commission (KPU) signed a memorandum of understanding of cooperation (MoU) with TikTok social media at the Indonesian KPU Office, Jakarta, Wednesday (15/11/2023). (ANTARA/Fath Putra Mulya)

JAKARTA - The KPU signed a memorandum of understanding in cooperation with the management of the TikTok social media application to be disseminated for more credible electoral information ahead of the 2024 General Election.

KPU chairman Hasyim Asy'ari said more than 50 percent of voters in the 2024 General Election are young voters so that the style of communication and media choices used are important things to pay attention to in disseminating election information.

"In the research we have read, among them what is popularly accessed is TikTok. Therefore, it becomes something strategic when the KPU cooperates with TikTok to disseminate developments in electoral information," said Hasyim as quoted by ANTARA, Wednesday, November 15.

Through this collaboration, Hasyim hopes that TikTok will prepare an internal policy strategy to prevent the spread of disinformation, hoaxes, or slander, especially regarding electoral content. This is important considering that there are many TikTok users.

"We hope that because there is so much content of people uploading via TikTok, it will also be important if they have started to enter electoral content. We hope that TikTok will also prepare various kinds of political strategies (policies) internally," he said.

Hasyim also hopes that TikTok will become a filter as well as a guide if there is oblique information. That way, users are not swayed or confused by the misleading content.

"If there is information that is skewed, that's not true, TikTok is the part that publishes, informing about 'The correct information is this one, not that one' so people don't get swayed, don't be confused," said Hasyim.

He said the KPU was given a mandate to convey information on the implementation of elections to the public. Information conveyed is positive information that can encourage confidence in the community that elections are held with quality, integrity, and democracy.

"Therefore, of course, the choice of methods, media choices has become something strategic, to convey electoral messages to the public," he added.

Meanwhile, TikTok Indonesia Public Policy and Government Relations Faris Mufid said that his party would soon launch election information from the KPU in the video-based application.

"Later there will be information from the KPU that we will show in the TikTok application. It will be during the three months of the campaign period until February (2024). Well, that is a forum for our users to access electoral information," said Faris.