Ninety per cent of social media users in Bengal are following the election on social channels, with 24% of the 294 constituencies likely to see netizens play a decisive role in determining the winner, says a report released on Saturday.
Compiled by Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), political research organisation The Campaign 360, and Facebook India, the data for the report was gathered between March 22 and 31.
The survey involved an analysis of social media posts and comments, and a poll among 253 Facebook users on their social media usage.
Social commentator and Future Brands MD Santosh Desai is unconvinced by the report's methodology. "Even in the best case, assuming all Facebook users voted the same way, it would only indicate the possibility of an impact if Facebook had a role to play at all. If you assume 100% of the electorate has mobile phones, it is an influential campaign tool. But it doesn't imply that it will impact election results," he added.
Osama Manzar of Digital Empowerment Foundation points out a conflict of interest in the report as a social media player Facebook itself is a part of it.