Battle of ballots goes hi-tech at GU

Students contesting for seats in GU Senate are using e-mail, SMS, social networking sites, blogs and more to get in touch with a large number of voters in short time
By Yogesh Avasthi
Posted On Saturday, January 31, 2009 (Ahmedabad Mirror : http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/index.aspx?Page=article&sectname=News%20-%20City&sectid=3&contentid=200901312009013103252018735f3a3f3)

Walls covered with posters and leaflets scattered on the grounds are proof that it’s election time at Gujarat University. The election to students’ senate will be held on February 1. And the campaigning has risen to a frenzy with most of the 47 candidates distributing pamphlets and sticking large posters around campus. But there are some candidates who have taken a ‘hi-tech’ path. Their strategy not only covers the large voters’ base but is also eco-friendly.

The students who have adopted this approach are Rushabh Pandya from MG Science College and Nachiketa Jha from F Y Seth C L Commerce College — contestants for the undergraduate Science faculty seat — and Mehul Sharma from M G Science College who is contesting for the post-graduate Science faculty seat. Drawing inspiration from Barack Obama who succeeded in the battle of ballots, these candidates are using e-mail, text-messaging, Internet, Facebook, Orkut and more to get in touch with the young voters. Apparently, they figured out early that properly harnessed, new technology can be used to win votes and influence election discourse.

Giving traditional methods like posting cards and visiting voters’ houses a miss, the three have set up websites and blogs to share their views on the election and their goals. Some of their supporters have even set up groups on a social networking sites to create a buzz around the candidates. Text messaging on mobile phones is still the most popular campaign tool for them.

To satiate the youth’s craving for change, all three are marketing themselves on the lines of Obama’s `nation for change’ campaign. On his website http://www.rushabhpandya.mykutir.com/, Rushabh exhorts netizens to bring in change ‘by voting for an unbiased candidate’. The site also lists the issues that he would like to address as a Senate member.Mehul Sharma has got his profile, his aims and aspirations created into a powerpoint presentation by a professional. He shows this to voters on his laptop.

The presentation has also been uploaded on Scribd — a document-sharing website. He also marks his presence on http://www.mehulsharma4u.blogspot.com/. Nachiketa Jha, too, has a powerpoint presentation that is mailed to voters.With most students owning a cellphone, text message is another convenient way of enlist the support of voters. The messages, usually sent from websites that offer free SMS service, list the name of the candidate, his number and the election date. “This is the least expensive way of reaching a large number of students.

It is eco-friendly as there is no wastage of paper in the form of pamphlets and posters. No paper means no littering. Also, the walls are not defaced,” says Mehul.Even students prefer it this way. Said Radha Sharma from Commerce faculty, “When candidates and their supporters visit the homes of voters, it is a hassle for all involved. They burn fuel to make the house visits while the voters and their families are hassled by the large number of visitors they are forced to receive.”Now, only time will tell whether the e-campaign will prove as lucky for these candidates as it did for Obama.