Beep Beep, Vote 4 me

Chennai, Apr 13: Politicians in the state have caught up with the latest communication technology to reach out to potential voters.

If you just received an SMS, it may not be a friend 'forwarding' the latest joke, but somebody totally unexpected. It is your friendly neighbourhood politico. Predictably with the May 8 assembly polls not far off, he was just canvassing for votes.

Our 'Netas' have graduated with the times. What with the Election Commission cracking down hard with its Model Code of Conduct vis a vis wall writings and slogans, the trusted tools of propaganda along with 'bit notices', wall posters and graffiti.

They have found an alternative through trendy SMS and e-mail.

Politicians are SMSsing 'vte 4 me'. If you have a high-end mobile you can also get to see a leader's mug shot and the party's symbol.

As a party functionary in the city reasons 'sending SMS for canvassing votes is easy, convenient, and cheaper'. Expenditure is very important with the Election Commission keeping a strict watch on how much a candidate is spending to gain the confidence of voters.

'Mobile has become an integral part of society today. It helps us reach out to a potential voter. With several cellular operators giving free SMS facility, it is cost-effective' the functionary adds.

Another advantage is that the SMSes can be forwarded to other voters. This makes the job of canvassing for votes easy, he adds.

The activists of various parties in the fray are planning to reach the electorate through SMS and local cable TV channels in different localities, according to a party office-bearer in the city.

The BJP state unit has already gone the SMS way and several of its programmes including schedule of party leaders and proposed press briefings are being intimated through SMS to journalists.

UNI