Special Emoji, Q&A Series and more: Karnataka Elections on Twitter

As the upcoming Karnataka elections unfold on Twitter, the microblogging platform reflects everything that's happening in the state election and conversations between citizens and candidates.

Tweets related to the Karnataka elections on Twitter were more than double than in the previous month, indicative of developing civic-mindedness on the platform.

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As the election campaigning kicks off, Twitter is launching several initiatives for Indians to provide real-time updates on the campaign trail, connect voters to politicians on the most important election issues, and to have their voices heard during the #KarnatakaElections2018.

#AskTheLeader Q&A series on Twitter

Twitter has collaborated with The News Minute (@TheNewsMinute) to host an #AskTheLeader series of interviews with election candidates, allowing citizens to get to know their leaders better and get answers to their queries with regard to the priorities for the state. People can Tweet to @TwitterIndia and @TheNewsMinute using the following hashtags #KarnatakaElections2018 and #AskTheLeader to join the conversation and be heard.

.@thenewsminute is collaborating with @TwitterIndia to bring you a series of interviews with candidates ahead of #KarnatakaElections2018#AskTheLeader pic.twitter.com/qkAWN3ELzo

— TheNewsMinute (@thenewsminute) April 26, 2018

Elections Emoji

To encourage people to vote and light up more conversations on the platform, Twitter is also launching a special election emoji today for the #KarnatakaElections2018. Available from now until 20 May, 2018, the election emoji can be activated using the following hashtags in a Tweet: #KarnatakaElection #KarnatakaElection2018 #KarnatakaElections #KarnatakaElections2018 #Decision2018 #BattleForKarnataka #ಕರ್ನಾಟಕಚುನಾವಣೆ #ಕರ್ನಾಟಕಚುನಾವಣೆ2018

Countdown to the #KarnatakaElections2018 with the special elections emoji! Join the conversation by Tweeting with #KarnatakaElection #KarnatakaElection2018 #KarnatakaElections #KarnatakaElections2018 #Decision2018 #BattleForKarnataka #ಕರ್ನಾಟಕಚುನಾವಣೆ #ಕರ್ನಾಟಕಚುನಾವಣೆ2018 pic.twitter.com/oQkXvkIWWo

— Twitter India (@TwitterIndia) May 3, 2018

#ConversationsWithKarnataka BlueRoom

Twitter will also be hosting #BlueRoom panel discussions in Bangalore with young leaders, journalists and people interested in civic society on the priorities for the State. Topics include wishlist for the elections, ideas on what Karnataka needs from the new leadership. These discussions would be held in collaboration with The News Minute, Network 18 and others.

To stay on top of the Karnataka Election, follow the political parties, candidates and news media on Twitter today to see every side of the conversation:

Party accounts to follow:(in alphabetical order)

@BJP4India

@INCIndia

@BJP4Karnataka

@INCKarnataka

@AamAadmiParty

Political accounts to follow (in alphabetical order):

@AmitShah - Amit Shah

@AnandSinghBS - Anand Singh

@iamashokkheny - Ashok Kheny

@AnanthKumar_BJP - Ananth Kumar

@BNVijaykumar - B N Vijaya Kumar

@BSYBJP - BS Yedyurappa

@Drdevarakhpati1 - Devaraj Patil

@dineshgrao - Dinesh Gundu Rao

@PriyankKharge - Priyank Kharge

@Ravi_LA - L.A Ravi Subramanya

@narendramodi - Narendra Modi

@nivedithalva ‏- Nivedith Alva

@PCMohanMP - P C Mohan

@itulasimuniraju - PM Muniraju Gowda

@RAshokaBJP - R Ashoka

@RahulGandhi - Rahul Gandhi

@rajeev_mp - Rajeev Chandrasekhar

@ RLR_BTM- Ramalinga Reddy

@siddaramaiah - Siddaramaiah

@Sowmyareddyr - Soumya Reddy

@nimmasuresh - Suresh Kumar

Here’s a snapshot of the Twitter conversation about the #KarnatakaElections2018 as the election campaigning begins:

How do you view this month’s #Karnataka elections?

— Sadanand Dhume (@dhume) May 1, 2018

I don't know who wins. But it is certainly a waveless election. Can't guage undercurrent. Pollsters nightmare. #KarnatakaElections2018

— DP SATISH (@dp_satish) May 1, 2018

Cauvery river bed, en route to Mysuru. Water is a big issue in these polls. #KarnatakaElections2018 pic.twitter.com/KQ5smAkl5A

— Nistula Hebbar (@nistula) April 30, 2018

Mahima Kaul (@misskaul), Head- Public, Policy and Government, Twitter India said, “Twitter is the best place to know what’s happening in your state, city or community, and the world. As citizens of Karnataka gear up for the upcoming election in the State, Twitter is proud to empower real-time conversations among citizens and the leaders. We encourage them to follow candidates and parties on the platform, get to know their leaders, and exchange dialogue in a shared, global townhall experience on Twitter.”