GUWAHATI, April 11 � Its impact would never be exactly fathomed, but Assembly Elections 2011 in Assam was the first ever to witness a robust campaign against graft through the internet and the cell phone. Significantly, the trend went beyond urban settlements to penetrate rural areas where communication networks have made inroads.
Dr T Alam, a doctor was among those who were encouraging his friends and acquaintances to exercise their constitutional rights by passing on text smses. Others like him in Guwahati were doing the same by sending scores of short messages and emails spending money and time.
A young student of engineering, Joachim Rabha, told The Assam Tribune, �I am part of the world�s largest democracy, and I felt it right to ask people to vote�. Till now he has sent more than hundred text messages, some from a free service provider.
A resident of Kahilipara, a social worker who did not wish to be named, said that she had forwarded scores of emails to friends and colleagues across Assam. She was motivated to a great extent by the recent happenings surrounding Anna Hazare�s campaign. �It is an election where important issues like corruption and lack of development are at stake�I felt it important to make people aware,� she mentioned.
Those acquainted with the scene, including journalists, have received a large number of text messages and emails asking them to exercise their franchise or to opt for conscience voting. Most of the messages were in support for making the election a step against corruption and an endorsement for probity in public life.
In areas away from major cities, large sections of people were able to receive and forward the messages calling for good governance. Nani Saikia, the executive director of Satra, a Sipajhar based NGO, stated that he and his colleagues were receiving text messages and emails from various stakeholders involved in combating corruption.
�Thanks to the messages through cell phones, even people at the grassroots could be reminded of their role in curbing graft by voting in the election,� Saikia noted.
Academic and well-known RTI activist, Dr Partha Ganguly of Dibrugarh, pointed out that the flurry of text messages and emails supporting a campaign against corruption was a positive sign. He was of the belief that the messages would have influenced a section of voters.
