KOZHIKODE: Discussions on social media could influence the selection of candidates in 71 constituencies throughout the State, revealed an analysis by Internet and Mobile Association of India. The study was conducted on the impact of social media on electioneering. It has classified 71 constituencies as 'high-impact' ones.
The report titled 'Social Media Impact on the Kerala Election, 2016' says that it was Chief Minister Mr. Oommen Chandy who tapped the potentials of social media by enjoying 89 per cent of total poll-related activities on net. It is in sharp contrast to Opposition Leader V.S. Achuthanandan, who was a late-entrant to social media platforms (7%).
But when it comes to positive comments, Mr. Achuthanandan has a clear upper hand by 35% as Chandy lags behinds with just 9%. Among the major political parties and fronts, 56 per cent of the poll related activities in the social media pertained to the BJP, while 34 percent were related to UDF and only 10 percent to LDF. About 19 per cent of the negative comments pertained to the BJP, while 18 percent pertained to the LDF and 16 percent to the UDF.
The 71 constituencies where the social media could make high impact were spread across all districts. Alappuzha, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Ernakulam and Kasargod tops a rankings of states with maximum number of high impact constituencies.
According to the report, 23 percent of the voters in the state are using Facebook. Women on Facebook account for 13 per cent of the total female electorate. An analysis of Twitter conversation revealed that 50 percent of all tweets posted during the electioneering period pertained to corruption and 83 percent of them conversations were negative.
