A Study On The Impact Of Social Media On Elections

Ashwini Kulkarni, L.L.M (Human Rights), Symbiosis Law School, Pune

ABSTRACT

The constitution-makers of India envisaged a free and fair democracy. The requirements of democracy being fair is the presence of knowledge among the population of the effect their votes will have and the absence of malicious or otherwise ill-advised actions to influence these votes for the benefit of a particular individual or party.

Social Media makes it easy to gain information at the click of a button, but it makes it just as easy to be led astray by misinformation and malignant actions. In the past decades, we have seen a rise in the influence of social media on voter behaviour. While it has had a positive impact in some cases, its deregulated nature lends itself to issues that might arise if left to remain in its current state. This article aims to understand the global nature of social media and its impact on sovereignty, notably through elections. It explores the methods used and the consequences of social media interference by local or foreign parties and what its continued existence could mean for the future of democratic institutions. In addition, it tries to analyse how multiple elections in foreign countries have been transformed by social media and the legislations the countries have created to preserve their sovereignty. This analysis is used to appreciate how India could adopt certain policies or actions to improve upon its electoral laws and ensure the smooth functioning of the world's biggest democracy.

Keywords: Democracy, Electoral Laws, Free Elections, Globalization, Social Media Influence