The 2014 Indian Elections

The 2014 Indian Elections

Saajan Paul Language & Culture

Gandhi Vs. Modi

Social Media

Social media has now become one of the biggest contributors towards the outcome of many elections and debates. The ease of access allows individuals to easily access information, and receive up-to-date results. In the 2014 Indian General Election,

Candidates have spent more than $5 billion. A cost never seen before believed to have been caused by the integration of social media and new voting machinery.

Learning from the Past

Both parties of Rahul Gandhi and Narendra Modi are looking at the 2012 United States presidential election to examine what exactly President Barack Obama did to win that election. Techniques that were introduced during the 2012 campaigning in the United

States has been seen in India over the past months.

The Newcomers

Rahul Gandhi and Narendra Modi are both devoting a large portion of their campaign money on the new incoming twenty million citizens that will be voting for the first time. With the help of social media, both candidates can easily persuade the newcomers into

voting for them. Social media sites in India receive more than 200 million views daily, so it is not surprising that the candidates would use social media to convince the newcomers into

voting for either candidate.

Uses of Social Media

Both Candidates are using social media in ways that were never used before. Both candidates have created Facebook Pages, YouTube Channels; they have also created games available on the Google Play Store such as, “Modi Run” and “Kursi Cricket.” These games are aimed at the younger incoming generation. Individuals who are voting for the first time and have no idea what either candidate stands are more likely to vote for someone they played as that someone they heard of, but have no clue what they stand for.

Security & Technology

Since the 2014 Indian General Election is expected to be one of the largest elections in the history of India, advanced security measures must be taken. The “Election

Commission of India” has developed the “Communication Plan for Election System” which will notify local police of any manipulation or alteration of the voting machines.

The Indian government is also requesting its citizens to sign up onto an automated texting system that will alert voters of terrorist attacks or change in voting information. It is very important that the government develops proper security techniques, or else

people will be too afraid to vote.

Why for much on Social Media?

With more than five billion dollars spent, the 2014 Indian Election has become one of the most costly and nerve wrecking election in India’s history. So what made this election so

expensive? The incorporation of social media! Unlike previous elections in India, both candidates whom are running for the position of Prime Minister are devoting up to two to five percent of their campaign money to persuade voters via social media. With more than two hundred million people visiting social media sites daily in India, each vote counts. Only

ten percent of India’s entire population has access to a computer, yet both candidates believe that the results may come neck to neck and the candidate with the slightest

advantage will win.

Both candidates have taken the term “Moving with the times” seriously in the hopes of becoming India’s next Prime Minister. A study conducted by Assocham, shows an increase

in views on India’s version of Google, Facebook, and Twitter; indicating that people are receiving most of their information via these online giants, as well as, recommending the

sites to others. Millions of dollars have been spent on propaganda encouraging Indian citizens to vote for either candidate.

Moving with the Times”

Outcome

It is extremely unclear who will walk away as a winner when the 2014 Indian Elections end on May 12th. Both candidates have spent a tremendous amount of time and money to seek

an advantage of their counterpart. Social media has come a long way since it was first introduced and it has taken part in some of the most highly controversial topics around the world. Technology has introduced some of the most extraordinary techniques available to influence people all over the world, as well as, change the lives of billions. The outcome of

this election is unknown, but one thing that it certain is that this election will have the greatest number of voters in India’s history.

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