ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The social media is going to be the most effective tool for up-coming election campaigns with its the supporters of different political parties using applications like Facebook and Twitter, YouTube etc.
Social media platforms provide new ways to stimulate citizen engagement in political life, where elections and electoral campaigns have a central role.
Personal communication via social media brings politicians and parties closer to their potential voters. It allows politicians to communicate faster and reach citizens in a more targeted manner and vice versa, without the intermediate role of mass media.
Reactions, feedback, conversations and debates are generated online as well as support and participation for offline events. Messages posted to personal networks are multiplied when shared, which allow new audiences to be reached.
A Management Sciences student Asif Iqbal explained that because of the social media, people have started taking an interest in politics more, adding, it is now easier for them to evaluate a political party or candidate.
A young businessman and social media professional Rana Usman, said that “Social media gives voice to anyone who wishes to use it, thus it is a very important and a key pillar of any society today which wants to exercise its opinion.
A technology expert and social media activist Azhar Hayat, says “How much the social media and active engagement of educated youth of Pakistan would make a real difference, only time can say that. But no one can deny the fact that social media is here to stay and it is increasingly becoming an indispensable tool for political democracy.”
“With Pakistan’s internet penetration on a massive upward journey, the reach would eventually extend to not just the educated mass of cities but also perhaps one day become a tool to connect with every Pakistani youth, he mentioned.
