While surfing through politics and technology news today I happen to come across this interesting article about how, with the May 8th Assembly polls approaching, politicians in India are hitting up SMS and mobile technology for their latest barrage of new media political canvassing.

According to The Hindu, these new media tactics have become extremely popular ever since the Election Commissions moral crackdown on wall writings and slogans, the trusted tools of propaganda along with `bit notices#039, wall posters and graffiti.

According to the article, politicians are texting the message "Vote4Me" fast and furiously and if you have a high end phone you can even receive a picture of the candidate with the party#039s symbol.

Going beyond the fact that the mobile phone has become such an integral part of Indian society, party functionaries also point out how highly cost effective SMS canvassing can be.

As a party functionary in the city reasons, sending SMS for canvassing votes is `easy, convenient, and cheaper#039. "Expenditure is very important with the Election Commission keeping a strict watch on how much a candidate is spending to gain votes. The mobile phone has become an integral part of society today. It helps us reach out to a potential voter. With several cellular operators giving free SMS facility, it is cost-effective," the functionary adds.

The article also points to the viral potential embedded in text messaging in that messages can be forwarded to other voters. This makes the job of canvassing easier.

But SMS is being used not only to inform and persuade but also to mobilize.

The activists of various parties are reaching out to the electorate through SMS and local cable TV channels in different localities, according to a party office-bearer in the city, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The BJP State unit has already gone the SMS way and several of its programmes including schedules of party leaders and proposed press briefings are being intimated through SMS to journalists.

Technorati Tags: elections, india, mobile, sms, text messaging

Campaigns & Elections | Mobile
Justin Oberman's blog | email this page | delicious | digg | technorati