Source:
daily bhaskar.com
http://daily.bhaskar.com/news-ht/NAT-TOP-facebook-initiative-social-networking-site-creates-page-for-voters-to-access-pos-4774641-NOR.html
Date:
13.10.2014
City:
Mumbai
Mumbai: With Haryana and Maharashtra polls right around the corner, the parties are leaving no stone unturned to woo the voters, taking a cue from the success ofBJP's online campaign in Lok Sabha election, the other parties have opened up their war chest to spend on social media to expand the reach of their mass contact campaign for the Maharashtra Assembly polls.
But that’s not what the social networking sites are being used for in the upcoming Assembly polls, as much as the political parties are making social media a platform to reach out to the voters, the voters too are seeking information from the medium and thus over 100 million people in India who are on Facebook, are turning to the platform to get information about candidates, debate local issues and get the latest election news and information. On October 15, 2014, voters in Maharashtra and Haryana decide who will form the Vidhan Sabha government.
Here are five easy ways for you to join the conversation and stay informed:
I’m a Voter Megaphone: On October 15, people in Haryana and Maharashtra over 18 years of age using Facebook on their mobile device will see a message at the top of their News Feed reminding them that voting has started. By clicking a button that says "I'm a Voter" they will be able to post a story to their Facebook timeline sharing with friends that they are voting in the Vidhan Sabha elections. So go ahead, vote and then update your status by clicking on the "I am a Voter" button.
Voted Major Life Event: Facebook will also enable the major life event for people to share that they have voted. After you’ve voted in the Vidhan Sabha elections, share your story on your Facebook Timeline by following these steps:
Step 1: Click "Life Event"
Step 2: Select "Travel & Experiences" and "Voted"
Step 3: Select the date in which you registered and add a photo if you wish. You can also share a story and select who can see this on your timeline.
Leaderboard: Wondering how parties and leaders are faring on Facebook in the run up to elections in Haryana and Maharashtra? You can find out right here on the Facebook State Election Leaderboard. The tracker tells you how much the Facebook community in these states and around the country is talking about leading candidates and parties over time.
Know Your Neta on USSD: Facebook has partnered with Association for Democratic Reforms allows you to get information about your candidates on your mobile. Just dial *325*35# to Know Your Neta (Free service available on Airtel, Aircel, Idea, Tata and Uninor.).
In the wake of alliances breaking in the state of Maharashtra and Haryana government faced by strong anti incumbency sentiments the contest clearly seems to be interesting.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself has been campaigning for the assembly elections. He has been the most prolific campaigner as his party the BJP pulls out all stops in its attempt to dislodge Congress governments in Maharashtra and Haryana.
On the other hand Congress, Shiv Sena, MNS and other political parties have targeted Modi and BJP for not fulfilling the promises made during the General elections 2014. All in all the social media will be a major source of information and a factor in wooing voters.
