JAKARTA. Popular US-based social media platform Twitter Indonesia has launched a new hashtag and an official emoji in support of the regional elections that will be held simultaneously nationwide on Dec. 9.

Every tweet that uses the hashtag #Pilkada2015 will be accompanied by an emoji of an ink-tainted pinkie finger – a symbol that officially marks those who have voted.

“We realize that conversations surrounding the regional elections will intensify around this month and we hope that the hashtag and emoji will bring about a sense of nationalism and unify everyone across Indonesia,” said Twitter Indonesia’s partnership manager Teguh Wicaksono on Monday.

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He said Twitter hoped that through their platform, Indonesians would be encouraged to interact and exchange real-time information related to the election from voters and candidates alike.

Observer group Watch Regional Elections (Kawal Pilkada) founder Khairul Anshar expressed his support for the initiative, saying that the group was proud to have teamed up with Twitter Indonesia for the campaign.

He added the public should thoroughly research election candidates before they cast their votes, adding that such information could be found on the Kawal Pilkada website at kawalpilkada.id.

State-run broadcaster Radio Republic Indonesia (RRI) director Niken Widiastuti said the broadcasting company had partnered with Twitter on the initiative. She emphasized the importance of spreading accurate, neutral and trustworthy information to encourage conversation and interest in the elections.

“You only need one minute to decide the fate of the nation for the next five years,” said Niken.

Several Indonesian public figures such as member of the House of Representatives Pramono Anung and comedians Soleh Solihun and Arie Kriting have begun using the emoji in their tweets.