Sambalpur: Four Days Left for Election in Sambalpur; Social Media as a Tool to Reach People
The second phase of voting was held on Monday in Odisha. As the third phase approaches with voting scheduled to take place in Sambalpur, the entire state’s attention is focused on this event. It is said that the biggest political battle in the state will be fought in Sambalpur. From the BJP, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan is the candidate, while the BJD has fielded its organizational secretary Pranab Prakash Das. The Congress has also thrown its hat into the ring by nominating Nagendra Pradhan, a three-time MLA from Athmallik and a former MP from Sambalpur.
With these three major contenders in the fray, the election campaign has intensified significantly. Candidates are making a concerted effort to make their presence felt by going door-to-door. In this election, political parties are heavily relying on social media to reach out to voters. Nowadays, with most people, from children to the elderly, using smartphones, it is almost certain that internet and social media usage is widespread. Opening platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram, one can see numerous political advertisements, highlighting the significant influence of social media on the general public.
Leaders are using social media extensively to influence voters. In Sambalpur, the impact of social media is particularly strong. Political parties, including the BJP, are not just using social media for self-promotion but are spending more money on social media campaigns compared to traditional posters and banners. According to experts, over 100 crore rupees are being spent on social media campaigns by various parties in Sambalpur. Hundreds of people are managing social media handles after renting houses in Sambalpur. After posting on social media, significant amounts of money are spent on boosting posts to reach more people. This strategy is yielding positive results for the parties.
Political parties are also leveraging popular local YouTube channels and pages. Almost every party has a presence on social media, and campaigns are also being run through WhatsApp groups. Seeing the increasing social media campaigns, Odisha Police has issued awareness messages. The Odisha Cyber Cell has posted on social media, reminding people, “The right to decide is yours. Do not let social media change your mind. Your vote is valuable.“
