Digital technology and 2022 National Elections

AS the national and local elections in May draw near, it is important to stress that our country looks really ready to face the unique demands of holding an event of such magnitude amid the ongoing pandemic. Digital technology will once again play a key role in providing possibilities and breakthroughs for this momentous political exercise to succeed.

Milo Sandig, chief executive officer of Digitalinnov Marketing, has a full understanding of the significance of state-of-the-art technology in delivering what appears to be next-to-impossible in a time of a global health crisis.

"Digital technology is at an all-time high as more and more screen times are recorded for each Filipino," Sandig said in a short discussion about this year's elections. "And as new variants emerge, we would expect lesser face-to-face interactions and more people resorting to digital alternatives to get their entertainment as well as their messages across."

The Omicron surge may have raised the fear that the much-awaited national polls could possibly be put on hold. Nevertheless, the level of technological advancement upon us today has allowed our nation to come to grips with that threat. One thing different about a 21st century pandemic is that we now have the technology to embrace a new normal way of living, including the exercise of a basic political right.

In the more recent elections, social media has emerged as a powerful tool in influencing voters. Whether convincing people who among the candidates are the most qualified to get elected or spreading false information in an attempt to misuse the power of interconnectivity, the long view is that the game-changing digital platform could actually make or break a society. It all boils down to the electorate if they will allow social media to dictate their thinking.

Part-businessman, part-innovator, Sandig sees that the proper way of dealing with a world gone digital is knowing its potentials either way. The chief executive argued, "Social media works both ways. From how I have observed these past few years, digital technology has led more people to be victims of misleading information. Still, we also cannot discredit the fact that there are people who have become better informed by getting readily available information right at their fingertips."

The more glaring challenge is for those who couldn't grasp the impact of fast-changing technology and fail to adapt to new ways of doing things. They insist on foisting on everyone to stick to the old practice. In a massive post-pandemic exercise, there is no choice but to come to terms with digital technology-driven challenges.

Sandig concluded, "Unlike their predecessors, younger generations nowadays rarely turn to traditional media. They source their information from social media and engage in online forums and groups where they feel they belong.

"If next-in-line leaders don't prioritize the digital medium where more people can be reached and communicated to, then there will be a strong disconnect from getting their messages across."

This would be a far greater tragedy in our collective hope for fair and honest elections. Technology, in that context, is also our saving grace.

Source: TheManila Times