Social media such as Facebook and Twitter are likely to influence at least 160 Lok Sabha constituencies out of 543 during the next general elections, according to a study carried out by Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) and IRIS Knowledge Foundation.
The study identified 67 constituencies as Medium Impact ones, while the rest have been identified as Low Impact or No Impact constituencies.
Maharashtra has the most High Impact Constituencies (21), followed by Gujarat (17).
"High Impact Constituencies are those where the number of Facebook users are more than the margin of victory of the winner in the last Lok Sabha election, or where Facebook users account for over 10 per cent of the voting population," the report said.
The corresponding numbers are 60 out of 543 in the Low Impact category and the remaining 256 out of 543 in the No Impact Category.
According to the report, the Medium Impact constituencies are those where it has been assumed that a Facebook user can influence one other voter, who may not be on Facebook.
Medium Impact Constituencies have the total number of Facebook users in excess of 5 per cent of the voting population.
