Jakarta. Candidates participating in next year's presidential and legislative elections kicked off their campaigns on Sunday (23/09) with a peace pledge aimed at curbing the spread of fake news and hate speech.

Dressed in traditional attire from various parts of Indonesia, the participants, including the two presidential candidates, their running mates, and political party leaders, signed the peaceful campaign declaration at the National Monument (Monas) in Central Jakarta.

President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo and Gerindra Party chairman Prabowo Subianto, along with their respective running mates, Ma'ruf Amin and Sandiaga Uno, paraded through the city during the event and released doves during the ceremony as a symbolic gesture for peace.

General Elections Commission (KPU) chairman Arief Budiman said the declaration seeks to reaffirm commitments from election participants.

"The campaign should be free from religious and ethnic division and fake news, to guarantee voters' freedom of choice," Arief said, as quoted by state-run news agency Antara.

Prabowo echoed Arief's sentiment and reminded his supporters to remain committed to the declaration and obey the regulations set out by the KPU.

"There should be no interference in voters' freedom of choice; it can be very dangerous for the country," Prabowo said, as quoted by Investor Daily.

The campaign period will end on April 13 next year, with the elections scheduled for April 17.

Arief said the KPU is working closely with the National Police and the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology to abate campaigns that promote ethnic or religious hatred.

Hasto Kristiyanto, secretary of the Jokowi-Ma'ruf national campaign team, said the declaration will serve as a binding foundation.

"The best ideas for Indonesia, to resolve the issues faced by the people and to achieve victory for the nation: This is something we can accomplish through dialogue and positive collaboration, instead of through accusations or fake news that damage our unity," Hasto said.