As the nation gears up for the upcoming State #AssemblyElections2018 in Chattisgarh, Mizoram, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Telangana, conversations and debates on Twitter in the past week alone, recorded 1.2 million Tweets related to #AssemblyElections2018.
From election emoji to #ElectionOnTwitter events, as well as live Q&As on the platform, Twitter has developed several initiatives to support citizens in having their say in the public conversation leading up to voting day and engaging with political candidates and political leaders directly.
Customized emoji for #AssemblyElections2018
State elections are almost here! Use the hashtags below to activate the elections emoji #AssemblyElections2018 #IndiaElections2018 #IndiaDecides pic.twitter.com/nSy5qlzT6b
— Twitter India (@TwitterIndia) November 9, 2018
The platform has launched a special emoji to light up the conversations around these State Elections. From now until 23 Dec 2018, citizens can activate a special Twitter #AssemblyElections2018 emoji using the following hashtags in a Tweet. State-specific hashtags are included so that citizens can follow the conversations unique to their states.
#AssemblyElections2018, #IndiaElections2018, #IndiaDecides, #विधानसभाचुनाव2018, #फैसला2018, #RajasthanElections2018, #RajasthanElections, #राजस्थानचुनाव, #राजस्थानचुनाव2018, #ChattisgarhElections2018, #ChattisgarhElections, #छत्तीसगढ़चुनाव, #छत्तीसगढ़चुनाव2018, #MadhyaPradeshElections2018, #MadhyaPradeshElections, #मध्यप्रदेशचुनाव, #मध्यप्रदेशचुनाव2018, #MizoramElections2018, #MizoramElections, #TelanganaElections2018, #TelanganaElections, #తెలంగాణఎన్నికలు, #తెలంగాణఎన్నికలు2018
#ElectionsOnTwitter
As part of the #ElectionsOnTwitter initiative, Twitter continues to conduct events and workshops with political parties in election states so as to share best practices, account safety and reporting tools.
It was an insightful #ElectionsOnTwitter workshop by @TwitterIndia for @trspartyonline leaders. Join us now for #AskKTR @KTRTRS #TelanganaWithKCR pic.twitter.com/TkpAGSs3lJ
— TRS Party (@trspartyonline) October 4, 2018
It was an insightful #ElectionsOnTwitter workshop by @TwitterIndia for @trspartyonline leaders. Join us now for #AskKTR @KTRTRS #TelanganaWithKCR pic.twitter.com/TkpAGSs3lJ
— TRS Party (@trspartyonline) October 4, 2018
Conducted an workshop on "Effective Use of Twitter" along with officials of @TwitterIndia at party HQ @BJP4Rajasthan pic.twitter.com/Xv8vgW5Vjq
— hirendra kaushik (@hirendrakaushik) September 14, 2018
Thanks @TwitterIndia @PayalKamat for a wonderful session on using Social media to strengthen Democracy ‘Vox Populi Vox Dei’ the voice of the people is the voice of God, social media today truly allows a democracy and freedom of speech @INCIndia #RajasthanOnTwitter #Rajasthan pic.twitter.com/v2zSCIKO3J
— Rajasthan PCC (@INCRajasthan) September 13, 2018
Also Read: ISL ties up with Twitter to launch new fan experiences
#DemocracyAdda
In the lead up to the State Elections, Twitter partnered youth organization @YouthKiAwaaz in hosting a series of #DemocracyAdda youth summits across cities.
The first session was held in New Delhi in September, where Twitter co-hosted a series of 3 panels with Youth ki Awaaz, featuring speakers who were primarily Members of Parliament and political party spokespersons. They participated on three Twitter-exclusive debates: ‘The Three Pillars’ (on checks and balances in Indian democracy), ‘Can the Centre Hold’ (on the rise of federalism) and ‘The Politics of Protest’ (on activism and social media). The event was live-streamed and also attended by over 1000 young people.
Subsequent #DemocracyAdda events were also held in three elections states (Rajasthan, Chattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh) in collaboration with Youth Ki Awaaz. From topics like digital education, the importance of voting, employment and more, the events encourage Indian youth to debate and discuss key societal issues today. Leaders from across parties and civil society representatives from the state participated in panel discussions. Also onboard were Local partners from each state such as CUTS, Pravah, Community, Jagran Lakecity University, The Optimist Citizen, & SPACE.
Speaks her mind and the truth, thinks of solutions and not just problems, dreams and owns the responsibility of making it come true, for herself as well as her panchayat! What a delight to hear @SarpanchBhakti at #DemocracyAdda @YouthKiAwaaz @TwitterIndia #electionsontwitter pic.twitter.com/aVGJ12uQeM
— Sunchika Pandey (@PoliceWaliPblic) October 12, 2018
DCW chief @SwatiJaiHind at @YouthKiAwaaz summit !! Must watch & share ! #DemocracyAdda pic.twitter.com/gdRVL05nJJ
— Vandana Singh (@VandanaSsingh) September 3, 2018
We are so excited to be supporting the #DemocracyAdda event today with @YouthKiAwaaz. Looking forward to an insightful discussion on the question of ‘Can the Centre Hold?’ moderated by @ShashiTharoor
— Twitter India (@TwitterIndia) September 2, 2018
#DemocracyAdda : @YouthKiAwaaz : घर की जैसे देश का चलाइए, जरूर कामयाब होंगे- @AamAadmiParty कैम्पेन कोडिनेटर @AbhishekPandeyK . #Jaipur pic.twitter.com/f4bscnTJgF
— Surendra Bagwara (@surendrasuri) October 6, 2018
That's a wrap from the 4th edition of @TwitterIndia & YKA's #DemocracyAdda. Thank you for being such a lively audience, #Raipur. Let's not leave these discussions here - it's now time to learn more about critical issues, governance, and policies, and go out to vote responsibly. pic.twitter.com/ubgQ7JZvjk
— Youth Ki Awaaz ? (@YouthKiAwaaz) October 24, 2018
Next in the series would be the #FutureOfTelangana event in Hyderabad on 17 November.
#AskTheLeader Twitter Q&A Series
Twitter also organized a live Q&A series called #AskTheLeader where citizens could have direct access and conversation with their leaders on a regular basis. Rajasthan Congress President @SachinPilot and Telangana IT Minister @KTRTRS were among the first to join the Twitter Q&A with voters, answering questions on key issues affecting the state. Stay tuned to more from other key leaders in the coming days.
#AskKTR Live Q&A https://t.co/vOmjGX88jR
— KTR (@KTRTRS) October 4, 2018
राजस्थान प्रदेश कांग्रेस कमेटी अध्यक्ष श्री @SachinPilot से पूछिए अपने सवाल। जानिए बदलते राजनीतिक परिवेश, देश-प्रदेश से जुड़े विभिन्न मुद्दों पर उनकी राय।जुड़िए Twitter Live पर #AskSachinPilot
— Rajasthan PCC (@INCRajasthan) August 25, 2018
दिनांक: 27 अगस्त, 2018 (सोमवार)
समय: दोपहर 3 बजे @TwitterIndia @INCIndia @GoNews24x7 pic.twitter.com/6k1DgYGffd
Mahima Kaul, Director, Public Policy, Twitter India and South Asia, said “The vibrancy of Indian elections is already visible on Twitter, with regional parties and leaders using the platform to connect with the voters, opinion makers, youth and media. The state elections are particularly exciting on Twitter as you can see, on one platform, voices from all parts of India converge around common themes, and see local flavours that build a national conversation. We’re also seeing a rise of local language content, and are proud to empower such a vibrant conversation on the platform. Twitter is truly where India comes to see “what’s happening!”
Some of the important Twitter handles to follow #AssemblyElections2018 are
Rajasthan:
MadhyaPradesh:
@INCMP
@BJP4MP
Mizoram:
Chattisgarh:
Telangana:
@asadowaisi (AIMIM)