Young voters use Internet to select candidates

Some young voters say that online media has helped them make their decisions when voting in the gubernatorial election on Wednesday morning.

First time voter Sakina Rachmianty, 18, for instance, said that social media had helped her understand the election process and the political views of each candidate.

“I thank Twitter and some blogs because some of them provide tips to become a smart first time voter,” Sakina said after voting at TPS 006 polling station in Ceger subdistrict, East Jakarta.

“However, the most important thing is that the winners must be committed to their campaign promises,” she said.

Social media have been used in this campaign by candidates to court young voters like Sakina, who have been developing their own opinions, independently of their parents.

Her parents were backing a candidate that she did not like, Sakina said. “I’m not following my parents’ suggestion because I have my own choice.”

Another young voter, Subahagia Rendy Warman, 20, was spotted exercising the franchise at TPS 041polling station in Kebon Kacang subdistrict, Central Jakarta.

Subahagia said he had been very active in using the Internet to find information about the background, political views, campaign promises and achievements of the six candidates.

“I have made up my mind to select a certain campaign after looking for their achievements online,” he said.

Party considerations did not influence his vote, Subahagia said. “I even do not like the political party the campaign represents. But I personally like their characters,” he said. (riz)