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Uzone.id – Information technology has become an increasingly dominant force in politics over the past decade, especially during elections seasons. Major parties now use social media as an online campaign tool and weapon to engage a broader masses.
At that time, Twitter (now X) became the most widely used media to spread hoaxes throughout the election. Hundreds of bots claiming to be real people—with names, photos, and a seemingly plausible number of followers—disseminated hoaxes and propaganda. It shows how digital technology has changed the way political campaigns operate and engage with voters.
What is different about this year’s election campaign?
Unlike five years ago, artificial intelligence (AI) heavily influences political party campaigns today. AI has become a significant challenge in the European Union and the United States elections. People doubt the authenticity of messages and are worried about the potential for manipulated content.
On the other hand, artificial intelligence has helped campaign teams collect data on voters’ preferences, personalities, and psychological profiles this year. The data that has been collected and analyzed then used as a basis for making strategic decisions for political parties to campaign. Although not all political parties do this, compared to five years ago, more parties today use this method, especially in the United States.
In addition, political parties are starting to consider the role of influencers. They play crucial role in connecting communities and younger voters. These people—who are not affiliated with political parties and are also not political observers—have a significant influence in shaping public opinion.
In its article, the European Research Council wrote:
The key is maintaining a close relationship with their followers; They are not distant figures. They have influence but are also influenced because they understand their audience and their audience likes them. These interactions are based on authentic types of engagement. If a political party can connect with these people, it can significantly increase the credibility of its message.
Digital technology has changed the way voters engage
In the past, every time the general election period came, eligible citizens had to register with the election office. However, over the past two decades, more countries have begun allowing voters to register online. This system was also influential during the coronavirus pandemic a few years ago.
By allowing voters to register online, the government has set a cost. In addition, the ease of registering online has increased the number of voters because prospective voters can register from anywhere and anytime. Countries implementing this system also guarantee data security so voters can feel safe.
With the rise of younger voters, some countries have begun to develop official websites that provide information about elections. Countries like Indonesia, the United States, India, Germany, South Africa, Canada, Japan, and Brazil are some countries that already have official websites regarding election information.
Through these sites, prospective voters can find out and learn more about the election process and can continue to check the results and statistics of the ongoing elections. This is also good to do to increase public trust.
Digital technology has increased efficiency in elections
Several countries have begun to adopt electronic voting systems to speed up the electoral process and improve the accuracy of election results. For example, Brazil which uses Electronic Voting Machines (Urna Eletrônica) to elect presidential and legislative members.
In Asia, the Philippines adopted electronic voting technology called PCOS (Precinct Count Optical Scan) Machines in 2010. The technology allows voters to vote on paper, scanned and counted by voting machines for presidential and legislative elections.
Digital technology has been proven to influence how elections are conducted this year and in the future. As technology evolves, policymakers must be at the forefront of change and be the fastest to adapt.
Adopting various technologies has encouraged voter participation, more informed voters, more efficient administrative systems, and increased transparency during the election process.
However, the potential for fraud, suppression, misinformation, and cybersecurity threats continue to overshadow the election. Therefore, adequate testing, strict supervision, and continuous evaluation are needed to avoid future problems.
