Social media celebrates election verdict

#Results2014, #PMNaMo, #Elections2014 and #Raceto272 were some of the trending hashtags on Twitter, while posts with BJP’s election message “Ab Ki Baar Modi sarkaar” filled Facebook timelines.

“The Congress result must lead to an immediate end to family raj,” tweeted #Verdict2014.

Another tweeted, “Whoever wins, am hoping 4 a corruption free India, a stable economy, a safe country, less unemployment. I am happy to be a part of #Raceto272.”

Search giant Google, which featured a special doodle (featuring election ink painted on the index finger) on its India homepage, offered live results as the votes are counted.

Social networking giant Facebook said 29 million people in India had made 227 million interactions through posts, comments, shares, and likes about the elections from the day they were announced on May 12.

“That is about two-thirds of all daily active Facebook users in India and an average of 10 interactions per person,” it added.

“In addition, 13 million people made 75 million interactions regarding Narendra Modi. During the election, Narendra Modi became the second most-liked politician on Facebook, behind only President Obama. Arvind Kejriwal also joined the ranks of the top five liked politicians globally,” it said.

With over 23 million voters in the age group of 18-19 years, India is the third largest Internet users base globally (of more than 238 million users) with a majority comprising of youth. A study by IRIS Knowledge Foundation and Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) has said there are 160 high impact constituencies in India out of 543, which are likely to be influenced by social media during the general elections.