How ECI is Utilising Social Media for General Elections 2024

The General Elections 2024 are approaching fast, and the Election Commission of India (ECI) is hoping to utilise social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, WhatsApp Channel, and LinkedIn to engage with the youth of the country. ECI hopes to both interact with the youth as well as educate them through various games and campaigns on social media. Several initiatives have also been undertaken to curb the fake news menace as well.

Apart from using social media platforms  to share important information regarding the electoral process, ECI has announced awareness campaigns with regard to General Elections 2024  targeting the youth, as well as interactive content such as quizzes, polls, and infographics to make the electoral process more engaging and understandable for voters. Here are some of the campaigns that have been announced:

Turning 18 Campaign: The ECI has identified urban and youth apathy as significant concerns affecting voter turnout. To address this issue, the ECI launched the 'Turning 18' campaign ahead of the 18th Lok Sabha Elections, specifically targeting young and first-time voters. The campaign aims to mobilize young individuals to participate actively in the upcoming elections and combat the observed apathy among urban and youth demographics in previous electoral processes. The 'Turning 18' campaign employs various compelling themes and strategies to engage its audience effectively. It uses thematic logos for individual series, making them easily recognizable and associated. By stressing the importance of voting upon turning 18, the campaign aims to instill a sense of civic duty among young voters. 

Engaging voters on social media: In addition to its primary objectives, the campaign offers several intriguing features. For instance, the 'Chunaavi Kisse' segment delves into fascinating election anecdotes from past polls. The 'A-Z of Indian Elections' series educates users on various election-related terms and processes. Another engaging aspect is the 'Word Play with ECI' series, encouraging users to explore election-related terms through interactive activities. The 'Sawal Jawab' series addresses pertinent queries concerning the electoral process. Furthermore, the 'Polls and Pixels' segment provides a visual narrative of Indian Elections from their inception, offering insights through imagery and data visualization.

Verify before you amplify: In response to the growing menace of fake news and misinformation online, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has launched the 'Verify Before You Amplify' initiative. This initiative was underscored by Rajiv Kumar, Chief Election Commissioner during a recent Press Conference announcing the Schedule of General Elections. The aim of this proactive measure is to combat fake news by urging individuals to exercise caution and diligence before sharing information on social media platforms. By encouraging citizens to verify the accuracy and authenticity of content before amplifying it, the initiative seeks to curb the dissemination of false information and uphold the integrity of the electoral process. Moreover, the ECI is disseminating essential information such as election schedules, IT applications, and other critical updates through visually appealing graphics and reels. This approach ensures that users receive precise and organized information about various aspects, including Commission decisions, checking names in the Electoral Roll, and locating polling stations.