Social media to play vital role in general election

SOCIAL media will play a pivotal role in this year’s general election with easily available access to internet, unlike in 2012, National Research Institute director Dr Charles Yala says.
He said internet access, particularly through mobile phones, was growing fast in the country and would feature in the general election.
“The election will have technology playing a far more important role,” Yala said.
“I’m not saying we are in the same league as the United States, but if Donald Trump can win an election using Twitter and undercut the mainstream media and accuse them of telling lies, we should not underestimate social media.
“We know we have a highly illiterate population in this country, and that’s where the social media and mobile phones will come into play.”
Yala said social media could play an important role in the election by holding candidates accountable for past actions.
“There is more scrutiny of leaders,” he said.
“In the past, we could only see leaders’ faces, with social media we can see their back too.
“Leaders and candidates will be held more accountable.”
Yala said it would also make it easier for candidates in terms of campaign logistics.
“Somebody does not always have to go out to the village,” he said.
“They can deliver the message on a mobile phone and broadcast it.
“I expect candidates to also become smarter and use the technology for campaigning purposes to reduce the costs of actual campaigning.
“You do not have to get a four-wheel drive and drive to the village.”