Role of Social Media in Elections : A Review

This review article explores the significant role played by social media in elections. It investigates the influence of social media on the electoral process, including voter participation, political campaigns, information dissemination, and democratic participation. Additionally, the article explores the challenges and opportunities posed by the use of social media platforms during elections. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the role of social media in elections and its implications for democratic procedures. This article aims to enhance our understanding of the influence of social media on political landscapes and electoral outcomes by synthesizing existing research and analyzing case studies from different countries. It attempts to identify the critical factors that influence the success or failure of social media strategies in election campaigns. The increasing prevalence of social media platforms has altered the dissemination and reception of political information. It is essential for policymakers, political candidates, and citizens to comprehend the function of social media in elections. This article emphasizes the significance of monitoring and regulating social media platforms in order to guarantee fair and transparent electoral processes. It also highlights the need for media literacy programmes to equip individuals with the ability to navigate the complex social media landscape and distinguish between reliable and false information. This article's primary objective is to shed light on the multidimensional impact of social media on elections. It identifies key benefits, such as increased political engagement, access to diverse perspectives, and targeted campaigning, as well as potential challenges, such as the spread of misinformation, polarization, and public opinion manipulation. By analyzing effective and ineffective social media strategies, the article provides recommendations for politicians and policymakers to leverage the potential of social media by minimizing its negative effects. This review article's findings contribute to the ongoing conversation about the role of social media in democratic processes and provide a foundation for future research in this area.