Punjab poll 2022: Not tech-savvy, many find online outreach a task

Sukhmeet Bhasin

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, January 11

Leaders of various political parties are finding it difficult to have any meaningful conversation with their voters online.

SAD leader and former MLA Sarup Chand Singla said, “With the Election Commission banning physical campaigning for elections, I have got the requisite system set up at my home for running a digital campaign. However, it’s not easy to do so, especially if you’re not already used to it.”

Congress leader from Bathinda (Rural) Harvinder Laddi said, “One of my relatives is managing my social media campaign. Our segment is a rural area where people are not very tech savvy. With physical campaigning banned, we don’t know how to connect with them.”

“Terms like virtual rallies, social media influencers and digital outreach etc. have many probable candidates baffled. I have been receiving calls from such persons enquiring about various options available for digital campaigning,” says Pushpinder Singh, owner of an IT company.

However, some tech savvy leaders have already launched their virtual campaigns. Singer Sidhu Moosewala is one of them. He has created Facebook page “Mansa da Sidhu” where he uploads his video messages, highlighting his priorities on various issues.

Several candidates are apprehensive that if the curbs continue beyond January 15, it could adversely impact the voter turnout.

Tough in rural area

Our segment is a rural area where people are not very tech savvy. With physical campaigning banned, we don’t know how to connect with our voters. Harvinder Laddi, Cong

It’s not easy

I have got the requisite system set up at my home for running a digital campaign. However, it’s not easy to do so, especially if you’re not already used to it. Sarup Chand Singla, SAD