leaders of various political parties are also using social networking sites and smart phone applications to reach out to the youth in the run-up to the Vidhan Sabha election 2017. In addition to traditional campaigning methods, social networking sites are turning a boon for politicians considering the large number of tech savvy young voters active on such sites. Out of the state’s electorate of nearly 75 lakh, around 56 lakh voters are from the below 50 age bracket.
However, on the flipside, there is the possibility of rumours and misinformation being spread through the sites and applications as was evident from the discomfiture Bharatiya Janata Party faced after a fake list of candidates on the letter head of the national party president was recently circulated on What’s App. This led to the party lodge a police complaint against unknown persons bent on damaging the interests of the party.
Besides, supporters of some candidates are spreading rumours to get ticket or claiming victory on social networking sites.
An election officer said that political parties are using social media for election campaign while some of them are using false site accounts.
Dehradun additional district magistrate Harbeer Singh said that to check the same, a cell of Media Certification and Monitoring Committee (MCMC) has been formed to monitor things. Notices are being served to the leaders of political parties on account of the violation of the model code of conduct.
Sohan Bisht, resident of Mohit Nagar, said that he had received several messages from parties like BJP, Congress, Samajwadi Party aside from some independent candidates seeking vote in their favour. It has been a great tool for the political parties reaching out to the people without spending much time, he said, adding that the officials concerned must be on their guard to check its misuse.
Urmila, political science student of DAV (PG) College, said same messages being sent repeatedly were irritating her.