Jakarta: Jakarta Archbishop Ignatius Cardinal Suharyo urged voters on Monday to equip themselves with comprehensive information about candidates and to disregard the influx of misinformation and hoaxes circulating on social media platforms as the presidential and legislative elections draw near.

In his Christmas message, less than two months before the presidential election, Suharyo said that it’s not hard to identify a qualified candidate and make informed choices.

He recounted an encounter with a legislative candidate seeking support among Catholic followers. His response was unequivocal: "Have you contributed positively to the community?"

"If the answer is negative, aspiring to candidacy should not even be considered," he said during a news conference at the Jakarta Cathedral.

Prior to casting their votes, Suharyo stressed the necessity of following news reports and analyses from credible media outlets that provide insight into the elections.

However, many individuals tend to spend more time on social media, making them susceptible to misleading information and hoaxes.

"I prioritize reading newspapers daily from reputable publishers to stay well-informed," Suharyo said.

Indonesia is set to elect a new president and members of the national, provincial, and district parliaments on February 14. Subsequently, elections for governors, mayors, and regents will take place in November.

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